Constitution (UBPA)

1. Name.

The organisation shall have one name that will speak to the values and mission of the organisation. All members will relate to this name.

2. Logo, Colours and Emblem.

The organisation shall have a logo that will be decorated with the colours that the members will agree upon. This logo would enable people to identify the organisation amongst many of the kind. The logo will in many instances serve as an emblem of the organisation.

3. Aims and Objectives.

The immediate aims and objectives of the organisation are those depicted in the values and missions of the organisation. In addition to those, the organisation aims,
(a) To bring real change, growth and development in Uthaka general. This will be attained by working closely with the youth of Uthaka particularly the school going youth and the school leavers.
(b) The organisation will strive to eliminate all forms of mental and psychological oppression that is primarily caused by idleness and redundancy.
(c) The organisation will strive to organise the youth of Uthaka into one collective, and will further look at social ills facing the community at large.

4. Founding Provisions.

(a) The organisation shall be non racial and non sexist.
(b) It shall be independent and sovereign of all other social formations guided by the need to realise its aims and objectives.
(c) Equality and democracy shall be the cornerstones of this organisation.

5. Membership.

(a) The membership of the organisation shall be open to school goers and school leavers including those who have found employment.
(b) Membership to the organisation shall be voluntary. No member may join the organisation for personal gain and privileges.
(c) Members of the organisation must serve wholeheartedly; dedicate their lives to the realisation of the aims and objectives of the organisation.
(d) Any member who joins the organisation will be subjected to all the rules, regulations and practices of the organisation.

6. Duties of all members.

(a) All members will be expected to contribute to the policies of the organisation as best as they possibly can.
(b) All members will be expected to implement and execute all programmes, principles and policies of the organisation to the best of their capabilities.
(c) All members will be expected to adhere to all principles, programmes and policies of the organisation.
(d) The final decisions of the organisation shall be respected and supported by all members.
(e) All members will be expected to uphold the autonomy, independence and unity of the organisation.
(f) All members will be expected to treat one another fairly and honestly in the true spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood.
(g) All members will be expected to attend all relevant meetings and gatherings as sanctioned by the organisation.
(h) All members will participate in any activity of the organisation, including voting and election of leadership.


7. Admission to the organisation.

(a) Any member who undertakes to oblige and adhere to this constitution must be admitted as a member.
(b) Any member of the organisation will be entitled to all benefits and privileges of the organisation.
(c) A new member must undertake to never betray the ideals of this organisation.

8. Leadership of the organisation.

(a) Any member who has been an active member of the organisation for at least two consecutive years will be eligible for election to any position of leadership.

(b) The organisation will convene a general meeting annually to elect leadership.

(c) The leadership of the organisation shall be gender representative to ensure equality.

(d) The leadership pf the organisation will be as follows:

(i) The shall be an Executive of a Chairperson and Deputy,
(ii). A Secretary and Deputy,
(iii). A treasurer who will also act as Organiser,
(iv). The executive will co opt two members who will perform duties determined by the executive and they will be given titles by the executive,
(v). Those members not elected to the executive will be known as an executive committee and will be responsible for checking up on the executive.

9. Obligations and Duties of executive members.

(a) (i). The secretary shall be the heart of the organisation and will be expected to keep the minutes of all meetings and make them available whenever required to do so.

(ii). The secretary will also be expected to attend to all correspondence and maintain regular personal and written contact with members.

(iii). The secretary will be expected to ensure that all members are abreast of the work of the organisation.

(iv). The secretary will be expected to draw up (timeously) all reports and documents as may be decided by the membership.

(v). The secretary will be a custodian of all policies and decisions of the organisation.
(vi). The secretary will be expected to present an organisational report at the general meeting that will reflect on the state of the organisation. That report will be adopted for accuracy and rejected on the same grounds. If rejected, the secretary will have to prepare another report taking into consideration his/her previous errors.

(vii) The secretary shall execute his/her duties under the constant overall supervision of the executive.

(b) (i). The chairperson shall be the brains of the organisation and will be expected to preside at all meetings in conformity with the constitution and other rules and procedures of the organisation.

(ii). The chairperson shall be expected to broker a way forward in moments of disputes.

(iii). The chairperson shall also exercise his/her duties under the constant overall supervision of the executive.

(iii). The chairperson will be expected to present a chairperson’s briefing in the annual general meeting that will reflect a possible future direction of the organisation.

(iv). The chairperson will be expected working in consultation with the secretary and organiser to propose a possible meeting day and prepare an agenda that will be adopted by the executive.

(c) (i). Deputy Secretary and Deputy Chairperson will be expected to assist and deputise the secretary and chairperson respectively.

(ii) The deputies will also be expected to fulfil all the roles of the incumbents but must do so with the approval and instructions of the incumbents.

(d) (i). The treasurer when acting in that capacity will be responsible for the financial books of the organisation.

(ii) The treasurer will be expected to submit all relevant books in the annual general meeting that will show the cash flow of the organisation.

(iii) The treasurer working with the executive will open and maintain the organisation’s assets in places and institutions determined by the organisation.

(iii) The treasurer is also the organiser of all events and meetings and subjected to the instructions of the secretary and chairperson.

(e) (i) The two additional executive members will be instructed by the executive that created their existence.

10. Quorum.

(a) The annual general meeting because it is the highest meeting that has powers to elect and dismiss members of the executive will have to have a quorum to be effective and invalid in terms of this constitution.

(b) The quorum must at all times be (50 + 1) of the total membership.

11. Amendments.

(a) The constitution of the organisation can only be amended by a two thirds majority of the total membership at the annual general meeting.

(b) To amend a member may propose amendment, and if supported the chairperson will start the necessary process.

(c) Until amendment and/or total rejection this constitution shall be the supreme law of the organisation and any conduct in conflict or inconsistent with it shall be nullified and appropriate steps taken against an individual member if a need arise.