ae re (Cs DUONG STUDENTS’ UNION CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE We the students of the Duong Traditional area have realized the need for unity, Peace, love and understanding among us, since these are considered necessary for development. We therefore thought it prudent to legally document some rules and regulations to govern the union since Ithas been in existence for a number of years without a written constitution. These rules and regulations Should reign supreme over all members. They should therefore be observed and followed strictly. For this reason, an eight-member committee was set under the Chairmanship of the Union's president, = Which met on the 17% of August 2000 and drafted the constitution? It was officially presented to the house * During the end of years General meeting (i.e. 28 December 2000) for approval. Another five member committee was against set up in August 2011 to review and update the oct “constitution. The committee met and submitted its findings in September 2011. ~ SECTION A ARTICLE 1 NAME ‘The Union shall be known and called Duong Students’ Union [DSU]. ARTICLE 2 1 : LOGO OF DSU Clause1. HOE: The hoe is small but farm’s to feed many. Clause2, BROOM: Symbolize numbers, unity and strength. Clause3, BONES SETTING: Traditional heritage of the people Clause4, BOOK: Knowledge is power. Clause5. The motto of the Union shalll be; Education, Leadership and Development. ARTICLE 3 AIMS AND OBJE IVES ‘The alms and objectives of the union shall be: 4% Helping members academically and financially. © #% Serving as a mouth piece of all members, % Fostering, unity, solidarity and peace among members, )Undertaking developmental projects in the community. Serving as a leaning ground for members who attend meetings. > Ensuring good acceptable moral, social and cultural values among members. : J % Bring about re-union and socialization of all members. ‘> Engaging in any relevant interventions beneficial to students in the community. ° SECTION B ARTICLE 4 FINANCE Clause1. The sources of the union's funds shall be dues, donor agencies, friends/well wishers profit from investment fund raising and any other genuine means. Clause2, Revenue from any subsidiary club/branch shall assist the mother union. Clause3. The union shall open bank account(s). ARTICLE 5 BORROWING AND USES OF THE UNION PROPERTIES The Union may own any property if that property ownership does not conflict to any social rules and ; Norms. The decision to acquire some property may be decided by board members and to the house at meeting. Borrowing of property shall be; ‘ j Clause1. All members of the union are automatic users of the property upon request. 2 | Clause2. The property shall be kept under care of board members. Clause3. Cost is assigned to a borrower subject to consideration depending on the purpose of the borrowing. 3 { Clause4. Lost/breakage of union property is subject to replacement by the borrower asand when necessary. ClauseS. All natives of Duong are qualified to the properties. Clause6. Any person besides natives is qualified to borrow and use. ARTICLE 6 BORROWING OF THE UNION’S FUNDS Clause1. The interest rate on borrowing is 5% per month, simple interest. Clause2. All borrowers shall be allowed a grace period of two months. Clause3. Only the union members are qualified to torrow. Clause 4. The borrower is expected to present two guarantors who are natives. Clause 5. An executive member is not qualified to guarantee a borrower. Clause 6. Any member who fails to discharge his/her loan obligation within one year is liable toa penalty of 10% in addition to the existing interest. ARTICLE 7 SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION Clause 1. The constitution shall be the fundamental principle by which the union was established and shall be governed, Clause 2. Any other bye-law, rule or decision found to be inconsistent and inaccurate with any provision of this constitution depending on the extent of the inconsistency shall be null and void.Clause 3, Any member who feels a decision taken or anything done by a member of the union is in conflict with any provision of the constitution may send a petition to the union for redress, Clause 5. The constitution shall be subjected to the constitution of Ghana. ARTICLE 8 AMENDMENT Clause 1. The union may amend any portion of the constitution when necessary. Clause 2. A member wishing to propose an amendment to the constitution shall serve the executive board a copy of the proposal at least two [2] months to the general meeting. Clause 3. The executive board within a reasonable period shall serve the council of elders a copy of the proposed amendment. Clause 4. A motion to amend any provision of the constitution shall be approved by at least 2/3 of members present through voting at the general meeting. Clause 5. A committee shall always be set to change or amend any part of the constitution. Clause 6. The committee shall compose of the council of elders, past and current executives and any other member. ARTICLE 9 LEGALITY OF THE CONSTITUTION Clause 1. The constitution shall be approved accepted by the house at general meeting. ce Clause2. Any item of the constitution shall be based on Article 8 (1). . SECTION C ARTICLE 10 ¢ FOUNDING FATHERS 5 Clause 1. They were the students who conceived the idea of forming the Union. Bot Clause 2. They shall be responsible for advising all other bodies within the union. ARTICLE 11 COUNCIL OF ELDERS Clause 1. They are elderly natives who of the community who have the union at heart and have supported the union. Clause 2. They shall include past executive members who attained the age of 35 years and above. Clause 3. They shall serve as trustees and councils to the union. Clause 3. They shal;be at least three (3) and at most five (5) in number. clause 5. The! be nominated by the executive members in consultation with Founding Fathers and presented to the general house for approval, ARTICLE 12 PATRONSHIP Clause1. He/she shall be a native of Duong, a literate and should be nominated by the executive board in consultation with the council of elders and presented to the house for approval. Clause 2. The patron should be free from any criminal record e.g, Police arrest, pause 3, The patron may be re-elected a number of times based on his performance assessed by Clause 4. The patron should be 35 years and above,ARTICLE 13 DUTIES OF THE PATRON Clause 1The patron should attend all meetings except otherwise notifying the executive board. Clause 2The patron shall render Guidance and Counseling services to union members and executives. Clause 3.The patron should support the union either in cash or kind where necessary. Clause 4.The patron should serve as unifying agent in the locality. ARTICLE 14 TENURE OF OFFICE OF A PATRON Clause 1.The patron shall be given four year tenure of office Clause 2:The patron reserves the right to resign from the post following any external or internal force which he thinks cannot be combined with the work of a patron Clause 3.The executive board reserves the sole right to nominate and elect the number of patrons or patroness it thinks fit after every four years ARTICLE 15 WITHDRAWAL OF PATRON % The patron shall be withdrawn if, Clause 1. He or she embezzles the union funds Clause 2. He or she deliberately brings the union into a position of ridicule and disrepute Clause 3. A person shall act on behalf of the patron or patroness in times of sickness and in the = absence of the patron for a period of two years. The patron and the executive board shall appoint a this person. ag SECTION D ARTICLE 16 MEETING AND QUORUM and when necessary. ’ Clause 3.Any meeting convened shall be considered to form a quorum for deliberations of issues provided there are at least two-third of the expected membership present. lause 4.Any meeting convened shall commence thirty minutes after the scheduled time, provided to attend any meeting of the association; he/she shallClause1. Be a dedicated member. Clause 2. Be able to read and write. Clause 3.Be nominated, seconded by at least two members and subsequently elected by voting {simple majority). Clause 4.The secon' the vice. Clause 5.An outgoing Clause 6.Election shou Clause 7.If an election is no! until an election is conducted. ARTICLE 18 SWEARING IN OF LEADERS d highest contestant [ie the second runner up] should be accorded the post of executive can be re-elected. 1d be conducted after two years. t conducted after the two years the old board should continue to act Clause 1.Eected members shall be sworn in by the patron or a religious leader. SECTION E ARTICLE 19 GOALS OF EXECUTIVE BOARD g their tenure of office. Clause 1.Executive board is expected to set goals and policies durin ARTICLE 20 FUNCTIONS OF EXECUTIVES EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT Clause 1. He/she should be responsible for the general administration of the affairs for the union’ ~ and co-ordinate the functions of the various executives for smooth running of the union. Clause2. He/she should appoint committees to amicably settle disputes among members, and to carry out other exercises in consultation with other executives. Clause 3. He/she presides over all board meetings of the union. Clause 4. He/she shall convene all meetings in consultations with the executive board. Clause 5. He/she designs and executes policies and programmes of the union. Clause 6. He/she shall be a signatory to the union bank account[s]. ARTICLE 21 EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT and perform the functions of the president in his absence or if he resigns or is dismissed from office on grounds of stated misconduct. Clause 2. He/she assists the president in the performance of his duties. Clause 3. He/she shall be assigned any other responsibility by the president. Clause 1. He/she acts ARTICLE 22 EXECUTIVE SECRETARY inform members of time and yenue of meetings. tory to the union bank account[s}. correspondences and other secretarial duties for and on behalf of the Clause 1.Shall writes to i Clause 2. Shall be a signa’ Clauses 3.Shall undertake union. Clause 4. Shall take down minutes of meetings of the union. Clause 5. Shall be the custodian for the union records, documents and other valuables.ARTICLE 23 FINANCIAL SECRETARY Clause 1.All financial matters concerning the union shall be handled by the treasurer. Clause 2.He shall render an account to the whole house during handing over to the new offi f Clause 3.Shall be responsible for all financial matters relating to the union “ Clause 4.Shall be a signatory to the union bank accounts]. Clauses 5.Shall keep all monies in a financial institution to be determined by the union. Clause 6.At every formal meeting, he is to give the financial stands of the union. ARTICLE 24 ORGANIZING SECRETARY Clause 1. Shall assist the president to convene meetings. Clause 2. Responsible for arranging meeting grounds. Clause 3. Organizing refreshments and entertainment. Clause 4. Organizing members during meetings and all other functions in the union's name. ARTICLE 25 PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER [P.R.O] Clause1.The union shall have a public relation officer or committee if necessary. pore Clause 2.The union shall resort to any public information system available for his publicity. : Clause 3.He/she should be vocal and at least a Senior High School student and above. a Clause 4.He/she should also have an in-depth knowledge about the union. Clause 5.All the above portfolios shall have vices [i.e. article 25, 26,27and28] and shall assist and act in the absence of their bosses. ie ARTICLE 26 TENURE OF OFFICE OF ALL EXECUTIVE BOARD Clause 1.The tenure of office of all executives last for two years. 3 ARTICLE 27 REMOVAL FROM OFFICE Any of the officers in Article 21 can be removed from office, if he/she; Clause 1. Misappropriate the union’s funds. Clause 2. Indulges in gross violation of the union’s constitution. Clause 3. Absence himself/herself from meetings repeatedly for four times without any genuine nn. Clause 4. Deliberately brings the union’s name into a position of ridicule or disrepute. Clause 5. A member shall be suspended till outcomes of the findings. ARTICLE 28 EXPULSION AND RESIGNATION j e 1. Any member may resign by a month notice to the executive board, stating his/her ae member who resigns shall be made to give an account of his or her stewardship. 3, The union shall not be liable to compensate such a person for any investment he or she ave made to the union.