BYLAWS OF BAY AREA SANATANA CHARITY TRUST (BSCT)

ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE
Name
The name of the organization shall be Bay Area Sanatana Charity Trust (BSCT) (hereinafter referred to as “the Trust” or “BSCT”).
Purpose
Charitable: Engage in charitable activities and programs that benefit communities in need.
Educational: Organize and support educational initiatives, workshops, and community learning programs, including youth and adult education efforts.
Spiritual and Social: Promote spiritual well-being and social cohesion through religious services, cultural activities, and community-building events.
Religious Organizations: Create, assist, and partner with temples or other religious institutions aligned with the principles of Sanatana Dharma and other similar faith traditions that share these charitable and educational goals.
Nonprofit Status
BSCT shall be organized and operated as a nonprofit, charitable entity under applicable local, state, and federal law. No part of its net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any private individual, and all revenues shall be used solely for the furtherance of its exempt purposes.

ARTICLE II: VOLUNTEERS

Eligibility. Volunteership in BSCT shall be open to all individuals who support the mission and objectives of the organization.
BSCT may recruit volunteers who support its mission. Volunteers shall serve at the discretion of the Board and do not have voting or membership rights.
Good Standing. A volunteer in good standing is one who has met the volunteer requirements established by the Board, and who abides by the bylaws and policies of BSCT.
Termination of Volunteership.
a. Voluntary resignation by the volunteer.
b. By a majority vote of the Board of Directors upon a finding that the volunteer has engaged in conduct contrary to the objectives of BSCT or in violation of these bylaws.

ARTICLE III: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Powers and Duties
The Board of Directors (hereinafter “the Board”) is the governing body of BSCT. It manages all property, affairs, programs, and finances of the Trust, and has authority to act on behalf of BSCT in all matters, consistent with these bylaws and the law.
The Board may create and dissolve committees, delegate specific responsibilities, and take other actions necessary for the administration of the Trust.
Composition
The Board shall consist of at least five (5) and up to fifteen (15) Directors (including Officers), as determined by Board resolution or membership vote.
Directors must be Active Members in good standing.
Term of Office
Each Director shall serve a term of three (3) years, or until successors are duly elected or appointed.
Elections for all Directors occur every three years (see Article VIII for the election procedures).
Initial 9-Year Exception: During the first nine (9) years after BSCT’s creation, the same board may continue for 3 terms  (up to nine  9 years)  to support organizational growth and continuity.
Vacancies
A vacancy on the Board resulting from resignation, removal, or other cause may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining Directors.
The appointed Director shall serve until the next regularly scheduled Board election, unless otherwise specified by the Board.
Removal of Directors
A Director may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the full Board for conduct deemed detrimental to BSCT or for consistent failure to fulfill the duties of the position.
Directors shall receive reasonable notice of any proposed removal and an opportunity to present their case before the Board votes.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

Officers
The Officers of BSCT shall be:
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
The Board may create additional Officer positions as needed.
Eligibility and Election
Officers must be members of the Board.
At the first Board meeting following each Board election, the Directors shall elect from among themselves the Officers for the upcoming term.
Term of the President and Officer Limits
Regular Term: The Board serves for three (3) years, with a limit of two (2) consecutive terms (i.e., six years total).

Duties of Officers
President:
Serves as the chief executive officer, ensuring the mission of the Trust is fulfilled.
Presides over Board meetings and membership meetings.
Oversees day-to-day operations, consistent with Board policies.
Financial Approval: Any single expense or commitment above two hundred dollars (US $200) requires Board approval.
Vice President:
Assists the President in duties and presides in the President’s absence.
Performs other responsibilities assigned by the Board or President.
Secretary:
Maintains the official records of BSCT, including minutes of all Board meetings and membership meetings.
Issues notices of meetings and handles official correspondence.
Maintains a current roster of members in good standing.
Treasurer:
Oversees all financial transactions, maintains accurate accounts, and presents periodic financial statements.
Prepares an annual budget (in collaboration with any Finance Committee) for approval by the Board.
Ensures taxes and registrations are filed in a timely manner.
Removal of Officer (Vote of No Confidence)
A special meeting of the Board can be called if at least seventy percent (70%) of the Board members sign a motion of no confidence.
Removal of a sitting President/Office before the end of the term requires an affirmative vote of at least seventy percent (70%) of the full Board.
If removed, the Board may elect a new President/Officer from among its members or, if deemed necessary, call a special election for the position.
Officer Vacancies
Should any officer position become vacant for any reason, the Board may appoint an existing Director to fill the unexpired term.
If the vacancy is the President, the Vice President shall assume the role on an interim basis until a new President is confirmed or elected.

ARTICLE V: TRUSTEES
Composition Trustees shall consist of previous Board members, including past Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers, and other officers.
Role and Authority
Trustees serve as custodians of organizational continuity and advisors to the Board.
Trustees have the sole authority to call and conduct elections, especially in cases of organizational conflict, governance failure, or upon request of at least 70% of the Trustees.
Trustees may call elections to address disciplinary actions against Board members or fellow Trustees.
Trustees meet at least annually or as needed, with a quorum consisting of a majority of active Trustees.
Trustees act exclusively in an advisory capacity except for their explicitly stated election-related powers.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
Board Meetings
The Board shall meet at least quarterly. The President or a majority of the Board may call additional meetings as needed.
Notice: Written notice (which may be electronic) of the meeting’s date, time, place, and proposed agenda shall be provided to all Board members at least seven (7) days in advance.
Quorum: A quorum shall be a majority (over 50%) of the sitting Directors. No official action can be taken without a quorum.
Voting: Unless specified otherwise in these bylaws, decisions require a simple majority of the Directors present.
General Trustee Meetings
There may be general trustee meetings at least once a year, or as determined by the Board.
The Board shall present an annual report, including financial statements, at an Annual General Meeting (if applicable).
Quorum for any Board meeting shall be set by Board policy or determined by Active Members of Trustee in good standing.

Special Meetings
Special Board meetings may be called by the President, a majority of the Board,or upon written request of a 70% of the Board of directors or Trustees as set by Board policy.
Notice requirements for special meetings shall be the same as for regular meetings, unless urgency or local law require otherwise.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES
The Board may establish committees and subcommittees for more effective operation of BSCT’s goals and activities.

Standing Committees
The Board may form Standing Committees, such as:
Finance Committee: Oversees budget planning, fund allocation, and ensures internal audits. Works closely with the Treasurer.
Religious & Cultural Activities Committee: Plans and coordinates festivals, charitable outreach, and community events reflecting the spiritual objectives.
Education & Youth Committee: Conducts classes, organizes educational programs and volunteer opportunities, especially for youth.
Membership & Public Relations Committee: Manages membership drives, handles publicity and communications, fosters community outreach.
Ad Hoc Committees
The Board may create short-term committees or subcommittees for specific projects (e.g., new building projects, special fundraising campaigns, etc.).
Committee Appointments
Each committee shall have a Coordinator (often a Board member) and at least two (2) additional Active Members.
The Board may remove or replace committee members at its discretion.
Powers and Reporting
Committees serve in an advisory capacity unless explicitly granted decision-making authority by the Board.
Coordinators shall present periodic reports to the Board, including budget and activity updates.

ARTICLE VIII: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Financial Oversight and Records
The Treasurer shall keep accurate records of all income, expenses, assets, and liabilities of BSCT in accordance with standard accounting procedures.
The Treasurer or an independent auditor shall prepare statements of BSCT’s financial position, at least annually, for Board review.
Budget and Expenditure Approvals
An annual budget, prepared by the Treasurer (with input from the Finance Committee if applicable), shall be submitted to the Board for approval.
The President may authorize any single expense up to and including $200 without Board consultation, provided it is within the approved budget.
Board Approval over $200: Any single expense above $200 requires prior approval from the Board.
Contracts and Obligations
The Board must authorize any loans, mortgages, or other contracts that create financial liability for BSCT.
Checks, drafts, or other orders for payment of money shall be signed or authorized by the Treasurer and at least one additional Officer, unless the Board adopts another specific policy.
Compensation
No Director or Officer shall receive salary or other compensation from BSCT for serving in these roles.
Reasonable reimbursement for pre-approved expenses is permitted.
Audits
The Board may call for an internal or external audit of the accounts at any time.
In addition, an annual independent financial review or audit (as required by law or Board policy) may be conducted, with results presented to the Board and, if applicable, membership.

ARTICLE IX: ELECTIONS
Timing
Regular Elections for the entire Board of Directors shall occur every three (3) years at a date set by the Board.
Nominations
The Board may appoint a Nominations Committee to solicit candidates from among the Active Community Members in good standing.
Candidates for the Board must meet any eligibility requirements established in these bylaws or by the Board (e.g., certain period of membership, volunteering record, etc.).
Procedures
Elections may be conducted by paper or electronic ballot, or at a membership meeting, as determined by the Board.
If the Board has voting rights, only those in good standing as of a cutoff (record) date shall be eligible to vote.
A simple majority of votes cast shall determine each winner unless the Board stipulates otherwise (e.g., plurality rules, etc.).
Newly nominated Directors take office immediately following the election or at a time designated by the Board.
Special Elections
If a “no confidence” motion or other event results in early dissolution of the sitting President or the Board, a special election may be called before the regular three-year cycle.
Terms of those elected in a special election may be set to align with the remainder of the standard cycle.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS
Proposal
Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed by (a) majority vote of the full Board, or (b) petition by a certain percentage of the Trustees (if so provided by Board policy).
Review and Notice
Proposed amendments shall be reviewed by the Board for compliance with the Trust’s mission and relevant laws.
The Board shall provide at least fifteen (15) days’ written notice (which may be via email) to all Directors (and to Trustees, if applicable) before a meeting to consider amendments.
Adoption
Adoption of amendments requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the full Board, unless otherwise specified by law or these bylaws.
Amendments become effective immediately upon adoption unless a later effective date is specified.

ARTICLE XI: DISSOLUTION
Dissolution
In the event of the dissolution of BSCT, the Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities, distribute all remaining assets to one or more organizations organized and operated for charitable, educational, or religious purposes, and which qualify as exempt organizations under relevant federal and state law.

ARTICLE XII: INDEMNIFICATION
Indemnification
To the fullest extent permitted by law, BSCT shall indemnify its Officers, Directors, employees, and volunteers against any and all expenses, liabilities, or losses arising from activities they undertake in good faith on behalf of the Trust, except in cases of willful misconduct or gross negligence.

CERTIFICATION
These bylaws were adopted by a duly called meeting of the Board of Directors of Bay Area Sanatana Charity Trust (BSCT) on the 11 day of April_, 2025.

President, BSCT
Name:Rajesh Konanganparambath

Secretary, BSCT
Name:  Kirun karunanakaran

Treasurer, BSCT
Name: Ravi Sankar Menon