Governance
The Haitian American Nationals Association (HANA) operates pursuant to a formal Charter and Bylaws that establish clear separation between governance, operations, and advisory functions.
In the interest of transparency and institutional clarity, public summaries of HANA’s governance structure are provided here. Detailed internal instruments, procedures, and controls are maintained as restricted organizational records and are not publicly distributed.
Governance Objectives
HANA’s governance framework is designed to ensure institutional integrity, accountability, and long-term continuity. This structure supports:
- Accountable decision-making
- Operational independence
- Continuity across leadership transitions
- Protection of internal processes and records
HANA’s governance model is built to support long-term institutional stability, lawful compliance, and disciplined engagement both internally and with external partners.
Organizational Form
HANA is organized as a non-profit, non-partisan social welfare organization pursuant to Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable law. The organization maintains separate legal existence and capacity, including the ability to contract, hold property, and engage in lawful proceedings in its own name, subject to internal governance controls.
Structure
HANA’s governance model establishes a clear separation between governance, operations, and advisory functions, consistent with best practices for institutional accountability.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors serves as the organization’s governing authority, responsible for policy direction, strategic oversight, fiduciary responsibility, and organizational control. The Board acts collectively and retains ultimate authority over HANA’s affairs.
Officers
Officers are appointed (4yrs term) by and accountable to the Board. They act in a fiduciary capacity and exercise only such authority as is expressly delegated, ensuring disciplined execution without concentration of power.
Advisory Functions
Advisory roles are consultative only. Advisors provide expertise and institutional insight at the request of governance leadership but hold no voting authority, operational control, or binding capacity.
This structure ensures decision-making clarity, operational independence, and protection against unauthorized representation and/or action.
Institutional Controls & Accountability
HANA maintains formal controls governing:
- Adoption of policies, resolutions, and position statements
- Financial oversight and expenditure authorization
- Legal engagement and litigation approval
- Recordkeeping and archival integrity
Legal actions, public representations, and binding commitments may be undertaken only when authorized through established governance procedures, preserving organizational discipline and limiting exposure.
Transparency & Record Integrity
In support of transparency and institutional clarity, HANA provides public summaries of its governance structure and purpose. Detailed internal instruments including charters, bylaws, resolutions, and operational controls are maintained as restricted organizational records in accordance with law and internal policy.