Preamble

We, the people of Liberian descent, our offspring, and friends of Liberia residing in the northern region of the State of New Jersey in the United States of America: Recognizing our individual and collective appreciation to the Almighty God for our existence; and Cognizant of the many vexing problems of our past and present challenges facing Liberia, from independence to the civil war, we remain one people despite our differences of opinion and faith, history and tradition, or ethnic and class background; and Realizing the need to foster friendship and cooperation among ourselves, toward lasting peace and national unity, and to be increasingly aware and engage in activities promotive of our culture and history within the American  democratic experiment and development within our community and at [home] and; Committed to fostering the social and economic development of Liberians, offspring, and friends in North Jersey, United States of America, and Liberians at home and elsewhere, in general: Do hereby resolve to organize and unite ourselves into a nonprofit community association, known as the Liberian Community Association of North Jersey, Inc. (“LCANJ”, alternatively the “Association”) which is a non-exclusive multicultural organization, open to all people of all races and background who are interested in the culture  and affairs of Liberians, their family and friends, and to affiliate itself as a  member chapter of the national organization, the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (“ULAA”), which is committed to the socioeconomic and spiritual development of the Liberian diaspora and to the advocacy of humanitarian causes and economic development of Liberia; And, by so doing, establish and proclaim these By-laws (which shall be the rules and regulations that govern the daily functions of the organization) as the legal instrument for the democratic governance in carrying out the mission of the Association.

The Association is a non-exclusive multicultural organization, open to all people of all races and background who are interested in the culture and affairs of Liberians, their family and friends. The values of the Association are love, commitment, empathy, progress, unity, integrity, and leadership accountability. The Association shall adopt and uphold democratic principles for good governance, effective and efficient management and sound policymaking and program implementation. The Association shall encourage dialogue and activities promotive of peace, reconciliation, unity and democracy amongst Liberians and their friends and family everywhere. The Association shall promote Liberian culture and other aspects of its national history and traditions that contribute to social progress within the context of American cultural diversity. The Association shall develop ways and means including especially fundraisers, to mobilize and provide resources for the social and economic development, including acquiring or building a community center for its members, Liberians elsewhere, and the general public.