The name of the Foundation shall be called HOPE ACADEMIC CENTER FOUNDATION(hereinafter called “The Foundation”)
ARTICLE 1 (i): ADDRESS
The address of The Foundation is Jamwelly village, Kombo North District, West Coast Region, The Gambia.
ARTICLE 2: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
(A)- To engage in educational activities and its development in general.
(B)- To participate immensely in the promotion of Education in the Gambia through the supply of Learning Materials and equipment or other related facilities.
(C)- To create mass awareness on educational benefits.
(D)- To create education opportunities by awarding scholarship to poor and needy children in the Gambia.
(E)- To provide agricultural support to needy communities in the entire Gambia.
(F)- To cultivate, grow, produce or deal in agriculture produce and to carry on the business of agriculturists, farmers, gardeners, dairymen, diary farmers, and to acquire, hold, buy or acquire freehold or leasehold agriculture land, farm, garden or any other, property and to act as growers of corns, cassava, maize or animal feed and to deal in live-stock and deal in such business as may be required by farmers and dealers of agriculture produce.
(G)- To work and collaborate with progressive organization at home and international whose agenda is similar with the general aims and objectives of the Foundation.
(H)- To generally create and manage funds for charitable purposes.
(I)- To work in partnership with other organizations for the enhancement of its objectives.
(J)- To conduct capacity building trainings for members and non-members.
(K)- To promote and facilitate youth empowerment projects and other development initiatives.
(L)- To take up the work of peacebuilding from the margins of society into the center of national discourse and policy priorities.
(M)- To do all or any acts and things which in the opinion of the Foundation may be conducive or incidental to the objects of the Foundation.
ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIPS
Membership is open to both genders but acceptance for admission shall rest with the Board of Directors and a member shall abide by the rules and regulations of the Foundation.
ARTICLE 3 (i):TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the organization shall be ceased in the event of a member failing to attend three consecutive meetings without approved reasons. Failure to contribute, when necessary,shall be determined by the Foundation’s general membership.
ARTICLE 3 (ii): MEMBERS RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
All members of the Foundation are guaranteed freedom of conscience, assembly association, opinion and religious belief. Members shall have the right to actively take part or participate in the running and management of the Foundation.Members are free to ask and clear doubts.
ARTICLE 4: THE GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS:
Membership is open to all persons irrespective of gender, race and religion and shall recognize and abide by the rules and regulations of the Foundation.
Every member is liable termination of membership as provided for in Article 3 (i) above.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall be the supreme body and policy making organ of the Foundation. It shall comprise of all members and shall be headed by a Director. It shall have the powers to scrutinize the activities of the Executive Committee as well as advice it accordingly. In case of controversy there shall be a 2/3 majority support of the decision by members to amend and make binding decisions and shall be in the interest of the Foundation.
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS
The Board of Directors shall map out strategies and make general policy decision for the realization of the objectives of the Foundation.
It shall provide and explore all sources of financing and obtaining material aid for the Foundation.
It shall arrange to collect, accept donations, bequests, endowment and other benefits on behalf of the Foundation.
It shall purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire moveable and immoveable property for the Foundation.
It shall enter into any legal contract whatsoever, which is beneficial to the Foundation or targeted beneficiaries.
ARTICLE 5: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chairperson as the head and other executive committee members to oversee the affairs of the Foundation.
THE EXECUTIVE
To uphold and enforce the constitution of the Foundation
To carry out the policies and programs of the Foundation as laid down by the Board of Directors.
To initiate and undertake all such activities as may further strengthen the aims and objectives of the Foundation.
To execute disciplinary actions against the members.
To identify, plan and manage the Foundation’s activities.
Shall perform their individual responsibilities accordingly.
Shall be answerable to the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 6: OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE
The Foundationshall be governed by theBoard of Directors consisting of the following.
THE CHAIRPERSON
The head of the Foundation shall be the chairperson who shall chair the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
DUTIES
He/She shall preside over all Board of Directors meetings.
He/ She shall supervise and direct the successful implementation of all projects.
He/She shall represent the Association at high profile functions.
THE VICE CHAIRPERSON
He/she assist the Chairperson in the execution and performance of the foundation.
SECRETARY
He/ She shall handle all secretarial functions of the Foundation and shall keep record of all policy decisions taken at any meeting.He/she shall also be responsible for all correspondence between the Foundation and other organizations including international donor agencies.
TREASURER
He/she shall be the custodian of the finances of the Foundation with the relevant financial records including bank pay-in- slips and withdrawal slip etc. he/ she shall also maintain an impress for (the amount of which shall be determined from time- to – time) for emergency and necessary purposes.
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
He/ She shall be official spokesperson of the organization and shall from time- to- time liaise with media houses, organize press conference etc for the purpose of informing the public about the ideals and operation of the Foundation.
ACCEPTANCE OF BENEFITS
The Foundation may request and as well receive gifts and donations from any philanthropist, individuals, and organizations. Such gift and items shall be channeled through the treasurer and the chairperson. No member shall request for any assistance without the knowledge and authorization from executive committee.
FUNDING SOURCES
The Foundation shall obtain funds from the following-:
Raised monies from members’ contributions.
Proceeds from the Foundation activities and,
Any lawful sources or mean.
BANK ACCOUNT AND SIGNATORIES
The Foundation shall open an account with any bank it deemed fit.
ARTICLE 7: MEETING PROCEDURE
Two – third of the members of the Foundation shall form a quorum for meeting thereof.
Binding decision shall be based on 2/3 majority with the Directors exercising the power of casting vote.
Issues of a controversial or sensitive nature shall be passed by two-third (2/3) majority decision of all existing members.
MEETING TIME
Meetings shall be held monthly,quarterly or at such time as maybe necessary. An extraordinary meeting can be held anytime and anywhere by order of the chairman.
ARTICLE 8: FINANCIAL MANAGEMEN
Proper books of account shall be kept and an income and expenditure accounts and balance sheet prepared, audited and certified by qualified auditors at the end of each financial year.
ARTICLE 9: REMUNERATION OF MEMBERS
The members shall not be entitled to any form of remuneration for the performance of their duties as members. However,anytrustee hired by the Foundation shall be entitled to a reasonable remuneration agreed between that trustee(s)and the Executive Committee. Trustees shall be reimbursed for any expenses incurred on behalf of the Foundation.
ARTICLE 10: AMENDMENTS
The constitution may be amended by the Board of Directors if:-
a meeting is called for that purpose;
the text of amendment is circulated to members within two weeks of the meeting, together with the notice convening the meeting, and
two-thirds of the Directors present vote in favour of the amendment.
If the meeting at which the resolution to amend the constitution cannot be concluded another meeting shall be convened not earlier than two weeks and not later than four weeks after the first meeting.
An amendment shall take effect after it has been registered with the Registrar’s office.
ARTICLE 11: QUORUM
The quorum for any meeting should hold (2/3) of the members except on emergency issues.
Any decision taken without a quorum be null and void.
ARTICLE 12: DISSOLUTION
The Board may dissolve the Foundation by a vote of two- third majority of the Directors at a meeting convened for the purpose.
The Board shall preside over the dissolution process.
Upon the dissolution of the Foundation, the surplus assets shall be allocated to another charity which has similar objects as the Foundation.
The Board shall surrender the original certificate of registration to the Chairman of the Foundation.
