THE GAMBIA YOUTH ORGANIZATION
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1 NAME
The name of the organization shall be: The Gambian Youths Organization [G. Y. O]
ARTICLE 2 MISSION AND PURPOSE
The Gambian Youths Organization is a not-for-profit organization whose major focus is on the development of youths so that they can become responsible adults in the society.
ARTICLE 3 THE PURPOSES OF THIS ORGANIZATION ARE:
A. To establish unity and means of communication among youths nationwide.
B .To creates social events such as sports and parties that are going to keep the youths bonded together regardless of age, economic background or political philosophy.
C. To shares our African Culture and values with our brothers and sisters in the United States so as to promote a harmonious relationship between our two communities.
D. To create conducive atmosphere where youths can exchange useful information pertaining to youth-related problems.
E. To establish an organization where peace, unity and harmony will prevail as to foster an unconditional love for our people, and humanity as a whole.
F. To raises funds to assist needy students.
G. To offer counseling for youths with regards to educational issues such as college admission, choice of career, financial aid etc.
ARTICLE 4 MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1
The following shall constitute membership in good standing:
A. Membership is open to Gambians and Non-Gambians interested in our mission statement.
B. One can become a member by filling an application form and paying a registration fee of $10 and $5 monthly dues. This is subjected to changes if need be.
C. Members are expected to fully comprehend the goals of the organization.
D. Members are expected to give their hearts and throw their weight by rendering their services to the organization.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
The Gambia Youths Organization extends benefits to her members. These benefits include and not limit to cash donation of $500.00 to any member who suffers from the following emergencies:
- Serious sickness that confines the member out of gainful employment for over a
month continuously or life threaten illness or hospitalization that last over a month.
B. Fire disaster that leads to complete destruction of property.
C. Immigration or any other problem that leads to custody of the member and lost of earnings for period over a month.
D. Any other incident or circumstance as approved by the quorum of the membership [see Section iii].
NB: The society donation is also supplemented by individual petty cash contributions. Petty cash ONLY is collected for celebrations like weddings, naming ceremony etc as society contributions.
ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS
The following eligibility criteria shall be strictly enforced to ensure commitment in membership.
A. Members should be active members of the society. That is expressed by attending
meetings, pay monthly dues and contribute to the society’s upliftment.
B. Any member who did not pay his or her monthly dues for three months shall be eligible. However, the total amount of the monthly dues and penalties shall be deducted from the benefit amount.
C. If a member default payment for six months he/she shall not be eligible. The member must update payment before being considered at another instance.
SECTION II MEETINGS
A. Meetings are held on the first Sunday of the month or whenever the need arises.
B. Meetings will be presided over by the president.
C. All members are required to attend meetings regularly.
D. Members are expected to conduct themselves in a dignified manner during meetings.
E. Any member who cannot attend a meeting for any reason; he/she must notify the Secretariat and /or Public Relations Department and send in your monthly contribution to be determined by the congress.
F. Any absentee who did not send in your monthly contribution will be fined an amount equal to the monthly contribution (i.e. $5 for now).
G. If anyone did not attend two meetings concurrently; you will be fined an amount equal to the monthly fee at the time; this fee is separate from the additional penalties for defaulting payments on time.
SECTION III QUORUM
A. Decisions taken by two-third (at least the majority) of the active
members [those who attend meetings regularly and pay their dues] are binding.
- Decisions are taken by majority of the executive committee in events of emergency where the general body could not meet. Decision made shall stand and be constitutional.
- The president is mandated by executive committee to make split second decision where executive members cannot be contacted.
SECTION IV FISCAL YEAR
A. Our fiscal year commences on July 1st and ends on June 30th the following year.
ARTICLE 5 OFFICERS
SECTION I
The following elected officials constitute the executive body. The President, Vice President, Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Auditor General, Assistant Auditor General, Public Relation Officer, Assistant Public Relations Officer, Social Secretary, Assistant Social Secretary, Grant Coordinator, Assistant Grant Coordinator, Education and Health Coordinator, Assistant Education and Health Coordinator, News Media and Advertisement, Assistant News Media and Advertisement, Sports Coordinator and Assistant Sport Coordinator and Spokesperson. Other elected office could be opened in future.
SECTION II DUTIES OF OFFICERS
THE PRESIDENT
A. The President is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the organization.
B. The President presides over meetings.
C. The President monitors other officials with regards to their responsibilities.
D. The President represents the organization wherever he is needed.
E. The President should organize meetings.
F. The President draws agendas in collaboration with the Secretary General and the Executive Members.
G. The President should inform members about meetings.
H. The President opens, closes and maintains order during meetings.
I. The president should be at the meeting on time.
VICE PRESIDENT
A. The Vice President takes the place of the President at his / her absence.
B. The Vice President should assist the president in the execution of his or her duties.
C. The Vice President should inform members about meetings and other important events of the organization.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL
A. The Secretary General takes minutes during meetings.
B. The Secretary General is responsible for the correspondence of the organization.
C. The Secretary General is the custodian of the organization’s vital documents.
D. The Secretary General should give the summary of the minutes of the previous meeting.
E. The Secretary General should read the Agenda to the general body during the meeting.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL
A. The Assistant Secretary General performs the duties of the secretary General in his/her absence.
B.The Assistant Secretary General assists him/her in the execution of his/her functions.
THE TREASURER
A. The treasurer is responsible for the funds of the Organization.
B. The Treasurer collects membership dues at the end of the month.
C. The Treasurer should give financial reports at each general meeting.
D. The Financial management of the organization is entirely in the hands of the treasurer.
ASSISTANT TREASURER
A. The Assistant Treasurer performs the duties of the treasurer in his/her absence.
B. The Assistant Treasurer should help the treasurer in the execution of his /her function.
THE AUDITOR GENERAL
A. The Auditor General audits every financial activity of the organization.
B. The Auditor General is required to audit the finance department once a month.
C. The Auditor General should give a report of his or her activities at each general meeting.
ASSISTANT AUDITOR GENERAL
A. The Assistant Auditor General performs the duties of the Auditor General in his or her absence.
B. The Assistant Auditor General should help the Auditor General.
THE PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER
A. The Public Relation Officer should inform the public about the activities of the organization.
B. The Public Relation Officer represents the organization at other organizations’ functions.
C. The Public Relation Officer should initiate programs that will expand the organization.
D. The Public Relation Officer should inform outsiders about the organization.
E. The Public Relation Officer should recruit new members.
F. The Public Relation Officer acts as a liaison between the organization and other organizations.
G. The Public Relation Officer informs members about meetings and other news vital to the organization.
ASSISTANT PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER
A. The Assistant Public Relation Officer assumes the duties of the Public Relations Officer in his or her absence.
B. The Assistant Public Relation Officer should help the Public Relation Officer in the execution of his or her functions.
THE SOCIAL SECRETARY
A. The Social Secretary organizes social events of the organization.
B.The Social Secretary sets up a timetable of events of the organization.
C.The Social Secretary coordinates social activities of the organization such as parties, picnics, barbecues etc.
ASSISTANT SOCIAL SECRETARY
A. The Assistant Social Secretary assumes the responsibility of the social secretary in his/her absence.
B.The Assistant Social Secretary assists the social secretary in the execution of his/her functions.
GRANT COORDINATOR
A. Grant Coordinator is responsible to communicate all grant relative transactions.
B. It is the responsibility for Grant Coordinator to write and make grant proposals.
- Grant Coordinator is responsible to look for grants and make follow-ups.
ASSISTANT GRANT COORDINATOR
A. Assistant Grant Coordinator works with Grant Coordinator.
B. Assistant Grant Coordinator does the duty of Grant Coordinator.
EDUCATION AND HEALTH COORDINATOR
A. Educator and health coordinator is responsible to organize education and health related seminars.
B. Education and health coordinator briefs the organization about education and health related issues.
C. Education and health coordinator liaison between GYO and other institutions and promotes education and health within the community
- Education and health coordinator undertakes educational and health sponsorship in the Gambia and elsewhere.
ASSISTANT EDUCATION AND HEALTH COORDINATOR
A. Assistant Education and Health Coordinator work with c with various responsibility of the department.
B. Assistant Education and Health Coordinator does the responsibility of Assistant Education and Health Coordinator in his absence.
NEWS MEDIA AND ADVERTISEMENT COORDINATOR
A. News Media and Advertisement Coordinator is responsible for publicizing GYO news and other vital information to the press through Press Release.
B. News Media and Advertisement Coordinator edit and print GYO monthly newsletter.
C. News Media and Advertisement Coordinator is responsible to find business to advertise in the newsletter and collect fees for advertisement be place in the paper.
D. News Media and Advertisement Coordinator choose which article to be published.
ASSISTANT NEWS MEDIA AND ADVERTISEMENT COORDINATOR
A. Assistant News Media and Advertisement Coordinator work with News Media and Advertisement Coordinator to undertake the responsibility of the department.
B. Assistant News Media and Advertisement Coordinator do the duty of News Media and Advertisement Coordinator in his absence.
SPORTS COORDINATOR
A. Sport coordinator is the liaison between the GYO and soccer players.
B. Sport coordinator organizes training and recruits players.
C. Sport coordinator liaises with the coach to design strategies, methodology and style of play.
d. Sport coordinator calls the players and informs them about training and matches.
ASSISTANT SPORT COORDINATOR
A. Assistant Sport coordinator works with Sport coordinator to undertake the responsibility of the department.
B. Assistant Sport coordinator does the job of the Sport coordinator in his absence.
THE SPOKESPERSON
A. The Spokesperson speaks on behalf of the organization.
B. The Spokesperson represents the organization in public forums.
C. The Spokesperson performs the duty assigned to him/her by the organization.
ARTICLE 6
SECTION I ELECTION
A. Positions are filled by elections at the end of every two years in the month of March.
B. Congress is held at the end of the consecutive year so that someone new can be elected.
C. All members should be informed about the congress by the Public Relation Department.
D. Members are required to participate in elections.
E. All members present on the day of congress can vote and be voted for.
SECTION II CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
A. The Constitution will be amended periodically by the general members (two-third majority) in order to:
A. Update it to current events.
B. Legalize or illegalize certain issues.
C. Expand the policies of the organization.
AMENDMENT I GYO GATHERING
A. If a member is discontented with anything, he/she has to forward the issue to the president and his seven-man committee.
- If a member bypasses the president and his seven-man committee to engage in argument
that leads to disruption of our gathering will be investigated by the seven-man committee and maybe subjected to fines if necessary.
- The fine could be up to $300 depending on the severity of the problem.
- All fines are to be settled immediately, failure to do so may caused a member to be
blacklisted.
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