Gye Nyame Charity Int,file

Constitution of Gye Nyame Charity International, NGO Mission Statement Internal & External Promotion ‘Thinking globally, acting locally’ To adopt a Ghanaian community for sustainable eco-technological investment & reconstruction as a pilot project & guiding model for the regional area – thereby influencing national policy by practical example. PREAMBLE: Moved by the desire to create better opportunities for street children and other vulnerable and marginalised group of people, we who are concerned with the well-being of these groups, have come together on this 25th day of November, 2005 to form this Charitable Organization.

Ethos: Characteristic spirit Fair Trade not ‘spare’ Aid – As the birthplace of human evolution, the plight of equatorial Africa is a global challenge that cannot be ignored by the developed world. A nation can only improve the education & welfare of its people through internal initiatives based upon local & regional knowledge & practices, supported by global, ethical & accountable investment. ‘Making Poverty History’ requires the redistribution of wealth and cessation of political & economic corruption, in order that local communities can become more self-sufficient and less reliant upon imports &/or influences that may undermine culture & future development. ARTICLE 1: NAME This Organization shall be called and addressed as GYE NYAME CHARITY INTERNATIONAL herein referred to as “EXCEPT GOD”. ARTICLE 2 : STATUS The Organization shall be charitable, non-political, voluntary, and non-profit body. ARTICLE 3: REGISTERED OFFICE The registered office of the Organization shall be the National Secretariat situated in Cape Coast. ARTICLE 4 : AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Purpose; Intention; Re-solution; Determination •

To establishing GYE NYAME as an International NGO operating locally in Ghana, but having impact globally. This involves results such as registration of the Gye Nyame Charity International LOGO and the name at the Registrar Generals Office. Registration and certification from Social Welfare by November 2006. Another result is preparing a temporary office premise for the both Board of Directors and Project Implementation Team (PIT members) by December 2006. Equipping the office with at least five computers linked to the Internet, a fax and a telephone line by December 2006.

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To recruit selected professionals whose competencies are critical to the sustenance of Gye Nyame Charity International. It will include Networking by January 2007 and Stakeholder Analysis by January 2007. Another aspect of the second objective is to develop a motivation and remuneration package for all the professionals who will be offering their expertise knowledge for the project.

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To induce capital investment through the production of local documentaries for syndication via global media corporations, especially in addressing HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Poverty and Famine.

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To attract ‘Fair Trade’ commercial investment & sponsorship to encourage ethical profit sharing, and global advertising for their provision of capital funding, vital resources & technical expertise.

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To facilitate free-market economies with the ‘developed world’ (re: G8; World Bank; IMF initiatives).

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To encourage the exportation of arts, crafts, clothing, jewelry, local/organic produce, etc – with the improvement of logistics & regional transport to commercial container ports, etc. (re: ECOWAS).

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To encourage the local processing, manufacture & packaging of produce (i.e. coffee & chocolate), thereby reducing the economically-inefficient costs & environmentally-damaging impacts of exporting raw materials for the demand of world markets, (whilst the importation tariffs and prices of quality consumables cannot even be afforded by the source producers & original suppliers!).

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To stem the tide of youth migration to the cities (and thus exposure to corruption, crime & drugs) by creating local employment via sustainable initiatives, that can be transferred through instruction to subsequent generations. Eco Tourism & the exportation of ‘Fair Trade’ products are key factors.

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To care for the sick & elderly, whilst ensuring that their unique knowledge is recorded & archived for future reference and use, through the production of syndicated educational & historical media documentaries.

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To alleviate the carcinogenic use of palm oil lamps by poor street traders, through the use of solar-powered lightning for economic and domestic use, thereby enabling Bio-Fuel research & development.

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To reduce the destruction of woodlands through the use of parabolic solar cookers and ecologically low-impact technology, thus promoting generative re-forestation & stabilization of enriched soils.

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Re ‘recycle’ abandoned churches & derelict properties, and to develop the neglected site & land for the construction of ecologically sustainable housing, educational & social centres, and local industry.

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To create employment in the construction, maintenance & administration of community, educational and medical centres using solar panels and wind-turbines for power, water pumps & purification, drainage & waste-recycling, with technological equipment, utilities & services. To prevent encroaching of the water bodies by estate developers and the dumping of refuse by communities for conservation purposes.

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To administer such health, information & communication centres based upon solar-powered satellites linked to PCs, Smart-Boards and large-screens for mass educational training, qualifiable academic courses and choice programs from the BBC, Open University, CNN etc, using various media formats.

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To link with ‘twinned’ schools & colleges worldwide, and provide global media corporations with authentic ‘reality TV’ programs based upon the progress & development of the community.

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To seek sponsored provision of mosquito netting, and the education & resources to maintain preventative measures against Malaria.

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To establish ecologically designed greenhouse cultivation of such indigenous plants such as wormwood to enable research & development into the treatment of Malaria and other diseases.

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To research the ethno-botanical value of indigenous herbs, plants, bushes and trees (such as Neem) in the search towards a preventative treatment or cure for HIV/AIDS.

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To educate the population on sexual practices to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, and to seek sponsored provision of free condoms through medical centres, churches, and schools, as well as assisting in making AIDS drugs further cheaper for victims etc.

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To rehabilitate thousands of street children on the streets of towns and cities of Ghana and other ECOWAS Countries.

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To provide formal education for street children and to support the aged.

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To train and equip the vulnerable, street children, and orphans in vocational skills.

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To advocate the Rights of the Child.

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To liaise with Governmental Institutions and other NGOs, to carry out development Programmes that enhance the living condition of the vulnerable and the marginalised in the society. To help reduce poverty in the urban and rural areas. To help alleviate the serious housing problems in Ghana and the Sub-Saharan Region by setting up Eco Housing villages.

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ARTICLE 5: MEMBERSHIP 1. The membership of this Organization shall be opened to Ghanaians and NonGhanaians who share the ideals of the Organization. 2.

Full individual membership shall be obtained and maintained upon payment of 3

relevant fees and dues as provided below:

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(i) Registration fees, membership card fees, monthly and yearly dues; (ii) The exact amount of dues to be paid from time to time shall be determined by all members. ARTICLE 6: SCOPE The Organization shall embrace all shades of opinion irrespective of race, sex, colour, Creed or political inclination provided that such opinions shall be consistent with the aims and objectives of the Organization. ARTICLE 7: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS A body to be known as “THE BOARD EXECUTIVE” shall run this Organization. It shall be the administrative arm of the Organization. The following shall constitute “THE EXECUTIVE”: (i) The Founder (ii) Executive Director (iii) The Deputy Executive Director (iv) Education Director (v) Traditional Chief vi (vi) The Lawyer (vii) The Consultant vii (viii) The Co-ordinator (ix) The Social Worker (x) The Treasurer (xi) The Secretary ARTICLE 8: DUTIES OF THE MEMBERS AND EXECUTIVES THE FOUNDER: The Founder shall (i) serve in an advisory capacity. (ii) He/she shall appoint other members of the executive. His/her consent shall be sought in all major decisions, (iii) and shall chair meetings of the Executive and shall sign all approved minutes. (iv) He/she shall be signatory to the Bank Account of the Organization. THE EXECUTVE DIRECTOR: He/she shall be the administrative head of the Organization and shall perform the following duties: (i) Supervise the affairs of the Organization; (ii) Vet, approve and sign all important correspondence (in consultation with the Founder); (iii) Shall lead the Organization to enviable heights; (iv) Be a signatory to the Bank Account of the Organization THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: The Deputy Executive Director shall: (i) Assist the Executive Director in the discharge of his/her official duties; (ii) Assume the office of the Executive Director during his/her absence and perform all his duties. 5

EDUCATION DIRECTOR: Shall be instrumental in the establishment of Vocational Training Centers for vulnerable, street children and orphans. Assist in the management of such centers and shall be an agent for the NGO’s programs on sensitization of school children/youth, HIV/AIDS and other educational projects. TRADITIONAL CHIEF: The Chief shall lead and aid the NGOs Executive Board on issues having direct links with towns, villages, communities and stakeholders who may not be directly involved in the running of the Organization. He shall be instrumental in dealing directly with other chiefs and elders to prevent unnecessary litigation. THE LAWYER: The Lawyer shall represent the Organization with selected board members on legal issues. He shall advice on the acquisition of lands, buildings or any property that the organization decides to acquire. THE CONSULTANT He/she shall help in the training of sectional managers, staff and personnel of the organization, formulate and write proposals to be undertaken by the NGO and assist in supervising and as well as advice on the way forward to ensure positive achievement of the organization’s aims and objectives. THE PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR The Co-ordinator shall: (i) Co-ordinate programmes with the Members and the Executive; (ii) Schedule timetable for activities; (iii) Organize all projects and tours; (iv) Prepare places for meetings in collaboration with the Secretary. THE SOCIAL WORKER The Social Worker shall: (i) Offer advice on social work to the Executive; (ii) Ensure that the rights of beneficiaries of the organization’s services are protected. (iii) Help the organization to identify street children, orphans and the vulnerable in the communities, towns and villages. THE TREASURER The Treasurer shall: (i) Keep all accounts, that is revenue and expenditure (ii) Keep inventories of the organization, i.e. all the assets of the Organization and see to it that they are in good standing; (iii) Prepare budget yearly and submit to the Executive for consideration; (iv) See to all monetary ventures of the Organization; (v) And is a signatory to the bank account of the Organization.

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THE SECRETARY The Secretary shall: (i) Be responsible for records keeping and filing of documents; (ii) On instruction convene meetings and take minutes of meetings; (iii) Be accountable to the Executive Director or the Deputy Executive Director on all; details of meetings and any other duties that may be entrusted to the Secretary. ARTICLE 9 : RESIGNATIONS All resignations shall be made in writing with at least thirty-day notice; All resignation letters shall be submitted to the Executive. ARTICLE 10: EXPULSION AND SUSPENSION Any member who fails to observe and abide by any article of the Organization shall be suspended from it by a resolution of the majority of at least two-thirds of members present at a general meeting. ARTICLE 11: MEETINGS (ii) The Executive shall convene regular meetings once weekly or monthly when deemed necessary. (ii) An Annual General meeting of the entire Organization shall be held at an agreed venue and time.

(ii)

QUORUM: Unless otherwise decided, all meetings shall begin at am/p.m., and end at am/p.m. 7 out of 11 members shall form a quorum. If within half-an-hour of the time appointed for the meeting to commence, a quorum is not present, the meeting shall be dissolved.

(ii)

ORDER OF BUSINESS: An Agenda shall be prepared by the Chairperson and Secretary, and shall be circulated to members 3 days in advance of each meeting. All items thereon shall take precedence over all other business. Any member wishing to introduce business for the consideration of the meeting may do so after the business on the ‘Agenda has been completed, but must do so in writing, or may give notice of motion to be discussed at a further meeting.

(iii)

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS: In the event of any matter of urgency, however, the chairperson may accept a motion for the suspension of the Standing Orders. The member moving such suspension must clearly state the nature and urgency of their business, the numbers of the Standing Orders affected, and the length of time (not exceeding 30 minutes) they desire such suspension to last. No suspension shall take place except by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present.

(iv)

MINUTES: the minutes of the previous meeting shall be circulated to members with the agenda. No motion or discussion shall be allowed on the minutes except in regard to their accuracy. After the confirmation of the minutes, they shall be signed by the chairperson, and the members shall then be at liberty to ask any questions in regard to matters arising out of 7

them. Such questions shall be allowed for purposes of information only, and no debate on the policy outlined in the minutes shall take place.

(v)

SELECTION OF SPEAKERS: Every member shall stand when speaking, and shall address the chairperson. When more then one member rises to speak, the first to rise shall be given precedence, the decision resting with the chairperson, but the member who rose immediately after the first one shall have the right to speak at the close of such member’s address.

(vi)

CHAIRPERSON’S RULING: If the chairperson rises to call a member to order, or for any other purpose connected with the proceedings, the member speaking shall thereon resume their seat, and no other member shall rise until the Chair be resumed. The ruling of the chairperson on any question under the Standing orders, or on points of order or explanation, shall be final, unless challenged by not less than four members, and unless two-thirds of the members present vote to the contrary.

(vii)

INTERRUPTION: if any member interrupts another while addressing the meeting, or uses abusive or profane language, or causes disturbance at any of the meetings, and refuses to obey the chairperson when called to order, they shall be named by the chairperson. They shall thereupon be expelled from the room and shall not be allowed to enter again until an apology satisfactory to the meeting be given.

(viii)

SPEECHES: No member shall be allowed to speak more than once upon any subject before the meeting, unless in committee, or on a point of order, or explanation, except the mover of the Original Motion. But on amendment being moved, any member, even though they have spoken on the Original Motion, may speak again on the Amendment. No member shall speak for more than ten minutes at one time. Members wishing to raise points of order or explanation must first obtain permission of the chairperson, and must rise immediately the alleged breach has occurred. Any member may formally second any motion or amendment and reserve their speech until a later period in the debate.

(ix)

MOTION & AMENDMENTS: The first proposition on any particular subject shall be known as the Original Motion, and all succeeding propositions on that subject shall be called amendments. Every motion or amendment must be moved and seconded by members actually present at the meeting before then can be discussed and, wherever possible, should be in writing. It is permissible for a member to make their speech first and conclude with a motion. When an amendment is moved to an Original Motion, no further amendment shall be discussed until the first amendment is disposed of. (Notice of any further amendment must be given before the first amendment is put to the vote.)

(x)

SUBSTANTIVE MOTIONS: If an amendment be carried, it displaces the Original motion and itself becomes the Substantive Motion, whereupon any further amendment relating to any portion of the Substantive Motion may be moved, provided it is consistent with the business and has not been covered by an amendment or motion which has been previously rejected. After the vote on each succeeding amendment has been taken, the 8

surviving proposition shall be put to the vote as the ‘main question,’ and if carried, shall then become a resolution of the meeting.

(xi)

RIGHT OF REPLY: The mover of the Original Motion shall, if no amendment be moved, have the right of reply at the close of the debate upon such motion. When an amendment is moved they shall be entitled to speak thereon in accordance with Standing Order 8, and at the close of the debate on such amendment shall reply to the discussion, but shall introduce no new matter. The question shall then be put to the vote immediately, and under no circumstances shall any further discussion be allowed once the question has been put from the Chair. The mover of the amendment shall NOT be entitled to reply.

(xii)

WITHDRAWALS OR ADDITIONS: No motion or amendment, which has been accepted by the Chair, shall be withdrawn without unanimous consent of the meeting. Neither shall any addendum or rider be added to a motion which has once been accepted by the Chair without such full consent. Should any member dissent, the addendum must be proposed and seconded, and treated as an ordinary amendment.

(xiv)

CLOSING DEBATE: The motions for the previous question, next business or the closure may be moved and seconded only by members who have NOT previously spoken at any time during the debate. No speeches shall be allowed on such motions. In the event of the closure being carried, the mover of the Original motion shall have the right to reply in accordance with Standing Order 11, before the question is put. Should any one of the motions mentioned in this Standing Order be defeated, minutes shall elapse before it can be accepted again by the chairperson, unless they are of the opinion that the circumstances have materially altered in the meantime.

(xiv)

ADJOURNMENT: Any member who has NOT already spoken during the debate, may move the adjournment of the question under discussion, or of the meeting, but must confine their remarks to that question and must not discuss any other matter. The mover of the motion upon which the adjournment has been moved shall be allowed the right to reply on the question of the adjournment, but such reply shall not prejudice their right of reply on their own motion,. In the event of such motion being lost it shall not be move again, except in accordance with Standing order 13.

VOTING: The voting shall be by show of hands, except where a ballot vote is specified by the General Rules. Where required by such rules, or where deemed necessary by the chair, two scrutineers or tellers shall be appointed by the chairperson. The chair shall not vote on any question, unless there is an equal number of votes, when they shall have a casting vote, OR, the chairperson may vote on any issue as an ordinary member. If, having done so, the voting is level, they may, if they so decide, exercise an additional casting vote to decide the issue. VOTING IN COMMITTEE: Where a difference of opinion on a proposition at a meeting of any committee occurs, a vote shall be taken (and the names of those voting for and against, and of those abstaining for voting, shall be stated in the minutes).

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NOTICE OF MOTION: Notice of motion shall be sent to the secretary in writing not less than 3 days before the meeting at which they are to be discussed. Such motions shall be placed upon the Agenda in the order in which they are received by the secretary. RESCINDING A RESOLUTION: No resolution shall be rescinded or amended at the same meeting at which it is passed. One week days notice of its rescindment or amendment must be given, but the resolution shall not be rescinded or amended unless by the consent of twothirds of the delegates present at the meeting when it is considered. No resolution involving important issues of finance or policy shall be rescinded at any meeting unless every member eligible to attend such meeting has been duly notified and given the opportunity of being present. AMENDMENT OF STANDING ORDERS: These Standing Orders can be amended only at the Annual General Meeting by the consent of two-thirds of the delegates present and voting, notice of motion having been sent as specified in Standing Order 17. CHAIRPERSON: The Chair shall be rotated annually to give experience to all members. SECRETARY: The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings. He/She shall be rotated every 2 years eligible for re-election after term served in case of nonperformance of the Secretary; the Board is mandated to effect change at any of these meetings by two-thirds majority of all members present. Minutes of the previous meetings should circulated to all members at least three days before the next meeting. Auxiliary Secretary: To be rotated at each meeting. Attending: (Preferably in alphabetical order). This is not often used – but is an indication of those members who have little respect for those who do make the effort to attend – and adds extra weight when dealing with opinionated members who have not bothered to gen up on previous minutes, motions, ideas or resolutions. Apologies: (preferably in alphabetical order). The is not often used – but is an indication of those members who have little respect for those who do make the effort to attend – and adds extra weight when dealing with opinionated members who have not bothered to gen up on previous minutes, motions, ideas or resolutions. Minutes of the Previous Meeting: Taken as read. (The Secretary [this can be shared by two people who can then compare notes later in order to] write/s up the minutes for circulation – this ideally after being first countersigned by the Chairperson. It is better to ask someone who has had shorthand/speedhand experience, though these people are often overworked and must be respected and looked after!) Matters Arising: Resolution 1., 2., 3., etc. from previous meeting: (This section is CRUCIAL, as each part refers to actions taken following the last meeting and the proposals/agreements that were democratically reached through consensus – it is a continual update on developments – and highlights immediately areas where better communication is needed.) ARTICLE 12: AMENDMENTS 10

Amendments to the constitution of the Organization shall require a simple majority of members present at an Annual General Meeting. ARTICLE 13: BANKERS (i) The Bankers of the Organization shall be the Barclays Bank or any other Commercial Bank deemed appropriate. Signatories to any such account shall be the Treasurer, and any of the following:

(i) (ii)

Executive Director and Founder International Director

ARTICLE 14: FINANCIAL REPORT (i) Annual financial reports as well as reports on the activities of the Organization shall be prepared and audited and submitted to members for study. (ii) The accounts of the Organization shall be audited once every year. (iii) A balance sheet shall be prepared hereafter and presented to members for study remarks. (iv) The accepted balance sheet by members shall then be copied and submitted to government. (v) It is mandatory for all Executive Members to attend meetings scheduled for the organization but where nine (9) of the Board Members are present with one Executive Director or Director they shall form a quorum for a meeting and decisions taken shall be binding to all.

Personnel Structure & Resourcing Salaried Directors George Henry Amoah

Executive Managing Director and Founder (Local) Logistics; Social, Political & Economic Liaison

Cape Coast, Ghana

Graham Russell-Pead

Managing Director (Global) Focaliser, Facilitator & General Secretary

(Born in Accra, Ghana)

Anne Helene Wirstad

Director, Market Research & Global Networking

(Norway); Europe (EEC)

? (re: Anne H. Wirstad) Solar roof; Bio-Fuel; Eco-Greenhouse - R&D

Gobal(Norway)

? (re: George H. Amoah) Media Liaison; Communications & Promotions

Accra, Ghana

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