FRIENDS OF SIERRA LEONE

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF A TAX-EXEMPT, Arizona Nonprofit Corporation
1. Name: The name of the Corporation is Friends of Sierra Leone.
2. Purpose: The purpose of the Corporation is to provide a formal means for interested individuals to learn about, advocate for, and contribute to the advancement of Sierra Leone, a country in western Africa.
3. Character of Affairs: The Corporation will operate nationally and have an international reach. The financial affairs will be headquartered in Arizona, including the processing of contributions and the payment of bills. The Corporation will publish a newsletter, moderate a listserv, maintain an informational website, advocate for policies helpful of Sierra Leone, and support development projects there.
4. No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article 2. No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in any political campaigns on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by a Corporation exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)3 of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
5. Upon the dissolution of the Corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the Corporation, dispose of all its assets exclusively for the purposes of the Corporation in such a manner, or to such organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501(c)3 of the United States Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Code, as the Board of Directors shall determine. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Superior Court of Maricopa County exclusively for such purpose or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purpose.
6. The power of indemnification under the Arizona Revised Statutes shall not be denied or limited by the bylaws.
7. Board of Directors: The initial board of directors shall consist of one director, the incorporator. He will serve as sole director until the first meeting of the Corporation, where a full slate of directors will be appointed. The number of persons to serve on the board of directors and the procedures for their election will be fixed by the bylaws. Initial Director: Mark Hager, 317 E. Elm Street, Phoenix, AZ 85012.
8. The street address of the known place of business of the Corporation is 317 E. Elm Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85012.
9. The name and address of the statutory agent of the Corporation. Statutory agent: Mark Hager, 317 E. Elm Street, Phoenix, AZ 85012.
10. The name and address of the incorporator. Incorporator: Mark Hager, 317 E. Elm Street, Phoenix, AZ 85012.
11. The Corporation will not practice or permit discrimination on the basis of sex, race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical handicap, or disability.
12. The Corporation will have members who will vote for the Board of Directors and vote on bylaws changes. The Board of Directors will make regular decisions for the Corporation, as outlined in the Corporation bylaws.
Executed this 11th day of November, 2010, by the incorporator. Signed: /s/ Mark A. Hager. Acceptance of Appointment by Statutory Agent. The undersigned hereby acknowledges and accepts the appointment as statutory agent of the above-named Corporation effective this 11th day of November, 2010. Signed: /s/ Mark A. Hager.
2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2011 editions Arizona Capitol Times