GNDP Constitution

THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION OF THE GLOBAL NETWORK FOR DISABLED PEOPLE-SIERRA LEONE.

PREAMBLE

The National Assembly of the Global Network for Disabled People Sierra Leone following the outcome of the International year of Disabled persons 1981- the world programme of Action concerning Disabled persons adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in resolution 37/5.2which emphasized the right of persons with disabilities to the same living conditions resulting from economic and social development GUIDEDBy the wide support received for the new initiative to elaborate standard rules on the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities which culminated in the adoption of resolution 1990/26 development on the basis of the experience gained during the United Decade of Disabled Persons (1983-1992) INSPIREDBy the International Bill of Human Right comprising the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic Social and Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against women as well as the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled persons, have organized ourselves into this non-religious, non political and non government organization and intend our affairs to be guided by this constitution.

NAMES AND OBJECTIVES

ARTICLE NO. 1

1.. The association shall be called the Global Network for Disabled People- Sierra Leone Disabled here in after referred to as the Association etc.
2.. The Global Network for Disabled People- Sierra Leone as a non-Governmental Organization having its affairs run by its members who have voluntarily joined the Association. It is non-religious and non political.
3.. The Headquarter of the Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone shall be located in the Republic of sierra Leone.

ARTICLE 2

1.. The National Executive Board is the sole authority of half of the General Assembly in which is vested that day-to-day financial matters of the Global Network for Disabled People-Sierra Leone
2.. The fiscal/financial Year of the Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone follows the normal Calendar year i.e. 1st January to 31st December.
3.. The Global Network for Disabled People-Sierra Leone Association shall not be responsible for the liabilities of its local and international branches.
4.. The Financial activities of the National Executive Board and the Records of Account of the Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone shall on b behalf of the General Assembly be examined and audited by an independent auditor to be proposed by the National Executive Board and to be approved by the General Assembly.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

ARTICLE NO. 4

1.. THE ORGANS OF THE GLOBAL NETWORK FOR DISABLED PEOPLE-SIERRA LEONE. (a) The General Assembly(b) The National Executive Board(c) The Local and provicial offices(d) The various Committees.

2. The General Assembly shall through the National Executive Board determine the nature, function and number of all other organs, branches and committees. ASSEMBLY THE

GENERAL ARTICLE NO.5

1.. The General Assembly shall be the highest organ of the Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone and shall be assembled in a general session at least once every two years before 31st January.
2.. Subject to 5.1 above, the General Assembly shall be called into session by the National Executive Board and notice for the time of such meeting will not be less than one month.
3.. An Extra Ordinary General Assembly can be called at the instance of the National Executives Board or by at least 3/5 of the local branches. In every instance, the National Executive Board shall have the authority to approve as to the necessity of holding such a meeting
4.. The agenda of an Extra Ordinary General Assembly shall be limited to those matters stated in the notice for meeting. The members of the National Executive Board shall not vote on matters concerned with the examination of the work of the National Executive Board.
5.. Every member of the Global Network for Disabled People-sierra leone is free to attend and participate in the proceedings of the General Assembly. The presence of a simple majority of all members with voting rights such a meeting shall constitute a Quorum.

ARTICLE NO.6

1.. The Board and members of local branches can write motion to the General Assembly which shall be submitted to the National Executive Board at least 3 weeks before the meeting.
2.. Motion to an Extra-Ordinary General Assembly shall be limited to those stated in the notice for the meeting.

ARTICLE NO.

7Voting in a General Assembly shall follow the procedures stated in Appendix A of this constitution.

LOCAL BRANCHES

ARTICLE NO.8 The Names of the local branches shall included the name “Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone” e.g. the chapter, the upper river division branches/Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone-the upper river division branch). With the exception of the admission of an honorary member, the constitution of the local branches shall be subject to the Article of this constitution.

ARTICLE NO. 9

1.. The local and International branches continuously keep the National Executive Board informed about their affairs generally and matters specially relating to member of the local Board, plans of Action, Annual Reports, and decision on membership etc.
2.. in pursuance of the achievement of the objectives of Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone, the local and international branches shall abide by the decision of the General Assembly and decision of the National Executive Board within the framework of this constitution, branch formation guideline (code of conduct), the programme of policy and principles, the Annual plan of action and the National Budget of Global Network for Disabled People sierra Leone.

THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

ARTICLE NO.10

1.. The affairs of the Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone shall be managed on behalf of the General Assembly by the National Executive Board whose membership shall not be less than 9 who shall be elected by the General Assembly. All officers in this shall serve for a term of 2 years.
2.. Any member of the Board who for any reason intends to terminate or actually terminates his/her services to the Board shall be replaced by the Board, y another person who shall serve in the Board for the rest of the period his predecessor would have served.
3.. Half of the membership of the National Executive Board including the chairman must be Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone.
4.. Any member of the Global Network for Disabled People Sierra Leone with a right to vote in the Association may be elected to serve in the National Executive Board.
5.. A simple majority of the voting members of the National Executive Board present in a meeting of the Board constitute a Quorum.
6.. The National Executive Board may if necessary, appoint an executive committee from within or outside itself. For the executive of special tasks, the Board may appoint specialized committee whose terms of reference shall be approved by the Board. Experts and skilled persons who may not be members of the Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone may be appointed as member (s) in the National Executive Board or in any of its committee provided that such persons shall not have the right to vote but may participate in all deliberations.

ARTICLE NO.11 The chairman may at his/her own instance call the National Executive Board to a meeting. 1/3 of the member of the Board may clearly stated reasons; also call a meeting to the Board.

MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE NO. 12 Membership of the Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone is open to three categories of persons.Ordinary membersAssociate membersHonorary members

ORDINARY MEMBERS These are open to any physically disabled person who believes in the ideals for which Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone is set up and is willing to promote the realization of its aims and objectives as stated in this constitution. Each ordinary member shall have one vote.

ASSOCIATE Members. These are open to any one who may not be physically disabled and is willing to promote the realization of the aims and objectives of the Global Network for DISABLED People-sierra Leone as stated in this constitution. An associate member’s right to vote in a General Assemble and I all other organs of the Association shall be determined by the National Executive Board.

HONORARY MEMBERS;These are open to any person who may not be disabled and has made exceptional contributions either in cash or in kind to the affairs generally of Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone. Honorary member may be appointed by the General Assemble upon the recommendation of the National Executive Board.

ARTICLE NO. 13

1.. In areas in Sierra Leone where there is not yet established a branch of the Association, matters relating to membership of the Association therefore shall be handle by the National Executive Board.
2.. In the case in Sierra Leone where there is established branched of the Association, application for membership form that area shall be submitted to the Board of the Branch of that area where the applicant normally resides and shall for that purpose be determined by them. Upon admission as a member of that branch, the member automatically assumes membership of the Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone
3.. Honorary members are directly affiliate to the National Association and not restricted member upon admission by the National Executive Board can be affiliated to any particular branch- An Associate branch.

ARTICLE NO.14 RESIGNATIONS: Any member of the Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone who wishes to terminate his/her membership of the Association in seeking any remedies to its rights.

TERMINATIONS: 1.. The power to terminate the membership of a person in the Association shall be vested in a Disciplinary Committee, which shall carry out all necessary investigation for the purpose of establishing the facts as may be alleged. The committee in taking any disciplinary action against any member after having established the facts shall have regard to the principle of natural justice and such decision shall always be fair.
2.. The procedure to be followed by local branches for resignations and terminations shall be determined by the local and international Board in the area where the person concerned normally resides.

AMENDMENTS TO THIS CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE NO. 15 Amendments and modifications to this constitution shall be by: a- Unanimous resolution by the General Assemblyb- 2/3 vote at 2 consecutive meetings are one of which be an Annual General Meeting.

DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION ARTICLE NO.16

1.. The Dissolution of the Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone requires approval by ¾ of the votes at two consecutive General Meetings of which one shall be an Annual General Assembly
2.. In the event of Dissolution of the Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone, all fund assets owned by the Association shall be used for the benefits and welfare of the Disabled of sierra Leone and in accordance with the objective state in this constitution and may for that purpose be administered by the relevant Government Department responsible generally for the welfare of Disabled persons of the Sierra Leone.

THE NATIONALCONSTITUTION OF THE SIERRA LEONE ASSOSIATION OF THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED SHORT TITLE

1.. This constitution may be cited as the National Constitution of the Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone Amendment and shall be deemed to have come into force on the 1st January 2000.
2.. The National Constitution of Global Network for Disabled People-sierra Leone is amended by inserting immediately after Article 16 the following new articles.

ARTICLE 16A Any member of the Board shall not be same time be a member of any Board of a similar Association.

ARTICLE 16BIt shall be only who has all his or her dues in full be allowed to vote and be voted for in any election of the Association.

ARTICLE 16C

1.. Board members are expected to show exemplary character and to conduct themselves in a manner that would enhance the image of the Association.
2.. Any member whose conduct is considered by the Board to bring the Association into disrepute any be suspended/expelled by the Board by a majority of two third of the members present and voting.
3.. Following the expulsion of a Board member, the Board, by two third majorities, can accept another member from the same Association as a voting member until the next member Assembly at which time an election for the vacant seat will be held.

ARTICLE NO.17 Article No.10 is amended by adding “not more than 15” immediately 9

ARTICLES NO.18 The elective position of the Association shall consist of the following 1.. president / disabled ambassador 2.. vive-president 3.. secretary general 4.. treasurer 5.. assistance treasurer 6.. educational director medical director and commercial manager, accountant, project officer

ARTICLE NO.19 The president shall resume at the secretariat/office of the Association at least five days in a week for the purpose of supervising the activities of the Association.

ARTICLE NO.20 Member of the National Executive Board shall be paid sitting allowance which shall be determined by the Board and the meeting shall be held at any place within Sierra Leone and it shall be held at least once a month.

MADE THIS……………………..DAY OF…………………..2000 APPENDIX A OF THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION OF THE GLOBAL NETWORK FOR DISABLED PEOPLE-SIERRA LEONE. The Independent Electoral Commission will be invited to organize/conduct the voting in accordance with the voting principle in line with current practice/procedures.