Constitution

GADANGME CLUB OF N.E. - RECOMMENDATIONS 2019

ARTICLE I

The name of the organization shall be GADANGME CLUB OF NEW ENGLAND.

ARTICLE II PREAMBLE

We the members of the GADANGME community of NEW ENGLAND shall strive together, for unity, joy, need, and to promote a better understanding within the community.

ARTICLE III
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1:

The policies and programs of the organization shall be in conformity with the objectives and charged with to the executives committee by the general house, accordingly the organization shall at all times pursue the social, cultural, economic, political, educational and other objectives as may be agreed to by the general assembly.

Section 2:

The organization shall pursue the following policies and programs: a. To share the concepts and be self-supporting.

  • Engage in all activities of non-profit nature not prohibited by law.
  • To provide economic, and social well-being of all members.
  • To promote community interest and concern for membership.
  • To co-operate with any other organization whose aims and objectives are in
    harmony with those of the organization.
    ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: As soon as someone expresses interest in becoming a member, he or she shall be registered. The registration fee shall be fifty dollars ($50.00). However, couples shall be required to pay only one registration fee but separate monthly membership dues.

Membership in the GADANGME CLUB shall be opened to the following:

  • Any descendant of the GADANGME.
  • Anyone who is married to a member of the club.
  • anyone who identifies himself or herself as a GADANGME and agrees to abide by The rules and regulations of the club.
  • The House shall determine to agree on the membership of people without Ga Dangme heritage but believes in the ideals and objectives of the Club
  • The legal age to be a member shall be eighteen (18) years and above.

Section 2

Admission into the organization shall include the completion of an application form, and registration fees pending approval by the Executive committee. New members shall be introduced by the president at a general meeting.

Section 3

Retention of membership shall be subject to regular attendance at meetings, payment of dues, and other levies of the organization.

Section 4

Failure to pay dues for three months shall be construed as loss of membership rights and privileges. A former member shall be reinstated by paying back dues up to date.

Section 5

If an executive fails to attend three consecutive meetings he or she shall lose his or her privileges although they shall be considered as members. Exception shall be made for sickness, vacation, or other tangible reasons.

ARTICLE V MEMBERSHIP DUES

Section 1

There shall be monthly dues of twenty dollars ($20) to be paid by each member. Dues must be paid up to date. A member who has more than three months arrears of dues will be subject to sanction under the constitution.

ARTICLE VI

Section 1

The executive board shall consist of the following officers:

  1. President
  2. Vice-President
  3. Secretary
  4. AssistantSecretary
  5. Treasurer
  6. Financial Secretary
  7. OrganizingSecretary
  8. AssistantOrganizingSecretary
  9. Auditor

10.Women Organizer
11.Assistant Women Organizer
12. Patrons
13.Council of Eminent persons
14.An office as deemed necessary by the President

ARTICLE VII DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1: President

The President shall preside over and call to order all meetings of the Executives Committee and the General Membership. He shall assign officers and /or members should undertake special or regular tasks upon approval by a simple majority of the Executive Committee. He or she shall appoint and / or recall a committee or chairperson with the approval of the Executive Committee. The President shall be informed by the committee chairperson of all meetings and agendas with reasonable advance notice.

He or She shall have the power to invite resource persons [lawyer(s), consultants, and advisors] to executive/general meeting upon approval of a simple majority. The President shall be a signatory of checks and financial documents.

Section 2: Vice-President

The Vice-President shall, in the absence, disability, or incapacity of the President, have the powers to perform the duties of the President. He or She shall assist the President at all times, and be assigned by the President.

Section 3: Secretary

It shall be the duty of the Secretary to give proper and timely notice of all executive and general meetings. He /She shall record and present minutes of all minutes of all meetings. He /she shall keep members informed of all significant developments involving the organization and /or members and shall be custodian of the organization SEAL. The Secretary shall be a signatory of checks and financial documents.

Section 4: Assistant Secretary

The Assistant Secretary shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary during his /her absence. May be assigned a role deemed necessary.

Section 5: Financial Secretary

The Financial secretary shall record and keep accurate records of all the finances of the club. The financial secretary shall be a signatory of checks and financial documents.

Section 6: Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the safe custody and accounting of Gadangme funds to the Club. He or she shall be the custodian of all funds, securities, of the organization. The Treasurer shall deposit funds and securities in the name of the organization in a bank account as the Executive Committee may designate. He /She shall be ready to render proper and accurate accounts of the organization’s financial position to the executive and at general meetings, when called upon. The treasurer shall be a signatory of checks and financial documents of financial nature.

Section 7: Organizing Secretary

He /She shall be the salesperson of the organization. He shall be responsible for attracting new members and propose the welfare of all members. He shall be in charge of organizing all functions proposed by the organization

Section 8: Assistant Organizing Secretary

The Assistant Organizing Secretary shall work hand in hand with the Organizing Secretary and take all the responsibility of the Organizing Secretary if he /she is not available or absent.

Section 9 (a): Women Organizer

She shall be in charge of women affairs and advise them accordingly. She shall also organize things pertaining women and make sure she promotes the image of the Organization. The women advisor shall work hand in hand with the Organizing Secretary to promote the good name of the Organization.

Section 9(b): Assistant Women Organizer

She will assist the Women Organizer, and deputize in her absence.

Section 10 (a): Council of Eminent Persons (CEP)

There shall be established a Council of Eminent Persons composed of opinion leaders in the community who supports and share in the ideals of the Gadangme people. The CEP shall be nominated and approved by the entire membership. A CEP member shall not necessarily be a Gadangme indigene, their role is to give counsel if and when needed.

Section 10 (b): Patrons

The Patron shall be a member of good standing who has held an elected office of Gadangme, i.e., past president. The Patron shall be subject to the decisions of the Executive body, examine issues and advice the Executive body as may be considered necessary for the well being of the Gadangme Club.

Section 10 (c) (d): Arbitration

The CEP and the Patrons shall endeavor to resolve all disputes and differences among members as may be referred to them.

With the exception of the CEP (honorary position), all other positions shall be same as the Executive. All appointed/nominated/positions shall end with the close of an executive year. Past executives are eligible for re-nomination/appointment.

Section 11(a): Auditors

There shall be appointed by the members, an audit team. The auditors shall audit the accounts of the organization twice a year, in the months of May and December and submit to the President a comprehensive report of the financial position of the organization with recommendations.

Section 11(b): Appointment of External Auditors

An external auditor shall be appointed to audit the books annually.

ARTICLE VIII Section 1: ANNUAL / SEMI-ANNUAL MEETINGS

A panel shall be appointed before the annual meeting to review the activities of the officers and submit a report to the members.

Section 2: MONTHLY MEETINGS

The monthly meetings of the organization shall be held in the city of Worcester as per month schedule or at such interval or time as situation might demand and at such places as agreed upon by the executive body. The executive meeting shall be held prior to the general meetings.

Written notice of the month meetings shall be communicated to the members not less than seven days prior to the date of the meetings. Such written notice of the monthly meeting shall contain a statement of the purposes for which the meeting is called.

Section 3: Special Meetings.

Special meetings of the executive committee or the General Membership body at anytime shall be called by the President in case of emergency. Special meetings may convene under the leadership of the President and /or the secretary within forty-eight (48) hours at a written request of a majority of the Executive committee and/or two thirds (2/3) of the membership body.

Section 4: Quorum

A two third (2/3) majority of the membership body in good standing must be present to constitute a quorum. When a quorum is formed to organize a meeting, it is not to be broken by a subsequent withdrawal of any member.

Section 5: Voting

A simple majority shall carry the vote in case of irresolvable ties: the President shall cast a deciding vote to break the tie once and for all.

Section 6: Agenda

All meetings must follow the agenda as listed within this section of the Constitution. The agenda shall be consistent with the ideals and goals of the organization.

  • Report, respectively of the President, the treasurer, and the Secretary.
  • Report of committee.
  • Transactions of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
    ARTICLE IX REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

Section 1

To remove an officer(s), a petition signed by at least two thirds bona fide members shall be submitted to the Council of Eminent Persons and Patrons. A committee that includes the CEP, Patrons, representatives from the Executive and non-executive members shall study such petition and make recommendations. The defendant(s) shall be allowed to explain his /her action before a vote is taken by a quorum.

Section 2: Grounds for removal of officers

The following shall constitute offenses or grounds for the removal of officer of the organization from office:

  • Gross reckless and negligent use and abuse of power.
  • Embezzlement of funds of the organization.
  • Using the position of the office for personal gain, or in unauthorized manner.
  • Non-performanceorneglectofduties
  • Attendance (please refer to Section 5 of Article IV).
  • Any other acts, actions, and activities considered to be prejudicial or detrimental
    to the best interest and good name of the organization.

Section 3

If for any reason an officer resigns or is relieved of his /her post, the person serving as vice or assistant shall take over that office until an election is held. In the absence of vice or an assistant, the President shall have the powers, in consultation with the members to appoint an interim replacement. If for any reason the whole executive shall resign or be relieved of their posts or responsibilities, the members shall appoint an interim executive and arrange for an early election.

Any executive member shall be eligible for re re-election for any number of terms if the general membership see fit and appropriate.

Section 4

There shall be no vulgar or abusive language used at general meetings. Walk-outs without any tangible reasons shall not be permitted. Any offender shall be cautioned and if it continues for the third time shall either be fined or expelled, or both from the organization.

ARTICLE X

Section 1: Expulsion of Members

Any member(s) shall be expelled for the following:

  • Verifiable gross misconduct or actions deemed to be detrimental to the good name and reputation of the organization.
  • Persistent refusal by a member to abide by the Constitution and by-laws of the organization.
  • Conviction of an aggravated felony against the organization.
    ARTICLE XI APPROVAL OF INSTRUMENTS

Section 1

Checks, notes draft and orders for payment of money and obligations of the organization and all contracts shall be approved by the President, Secretary, Financial Secretary, and the Treasurer. Any three of the above four signatories shall be sufficient mandate to conduct a financial transaction on behalf of the organization.

Section 2

Changes of the organization’s account status shall require Executive approval.

ARTICLE XII ELECTION OF OFFICERS

All officers of the organization shall be elected for a term of two years. The election shall take place during a general meeting. The newly elected officers shall be sworn in to assume office immediately and enter a transformational period of one month during which time the outgoing officers will go over the financial status of the organization and the organization’s policies and procedures. At the end of one month the incumbents will release all documents and assets to the newly elected officers. During this transitional period the newly elected officers shall assume executive responsibilities of the organization. However, outgoing officers should be present to assist. This transitional period is to be considered as an apprenticeship period and shall lead to consistency within the organization.

Section 2: Candidates

Candidates seeking office must be a bona fide member of this organization for at least one year, and must be a member in good standing.

Section 3: Voting (Members) Eligibility

Any member in good standing is eligible to vote.

Section 4

Election shall be by secret ballot and shall be conducted by a two member Electoral Commission appointed by the general body.

ARTICLE XIII BENEFITS

Family: is recognized as the Member, Parents, Spouse, and Children Section 1: Bereavement

  1. a) Member: The organization shall pay to the deceased member’s next-of-kin an amount of $1000.00. In addition, the club shall be represented to give a befitting burial to the deceased member by helping to organize and sending a delegation to the funeral.
  2. b) Member’s parent/child/spouse: The organization shall pay an amount of $250.00 to the bereaved member.
  3. c) Child birth: The organization shall present to the member a check for $250 upon being notified of a child birth. The organization shall be represented in organizing a befitting ceremony at the member’s request.

Section 2

The organization shall maintain a group insurance upon request to members in good standing.

Section 3

Any circumstance affecting a member, that needs attention shall be promptly reported to the President or the Secretary who shall then inform the general membership through whatever means deemed appropriate for immediate action.

Section 4

The organization shall undertake and promote socio-cultural activities deemed to be in the interest of the general membership.

Section 5

The Executive shall be mandated to implement the benefit structure. The total benefit due to a benefactor will be divided by members on record/file.

In order to be eligible for any benefits under this constitution, a member shall be of good standing and be current in the payment of dues and all other levies imposed by the club.

ARTICLE XIV AMENDMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION

Section 1

Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a vote not less than (2) thirds of members in good standing may amend any provision of this Constitution.

Section 2

A resolution for amendment of this Constitution shall not have effect unless it has been debated by members and received votes of at least two thirds of members in good standing.

Section 3

Proposals for amendment of the Constitution shall be in writing, and recorded by the Secretary.

ARTICLE XV ADOPTION OF CONSTITUTION

This Constitution was crafted and adopted in 1985 (...................................................) as a working document at a meeting held in Worcester, Ma., subsequently amended during the third constitution review (........................... January, 2011)

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

ELECTED OFFICERS

Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution all persons duly elected into executive position in anticipation of meeting the requirements of this constitution shall be taken to have been duly elected for the purpose of this constitution.

ACTS DONE IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS CONSTITUTION

Notwithstanding anything in this constitution an act or measure carried out in anticipation of meeting the requirements of this constitution shall be taken to have been duly done for the purpose of this constitution.

Respectively submitted by the Constitution Review Committee: Abraham Djangmah, Dorothy Mensah, Isaac Oppong, Jonathan Okla, Reagan Quartet, and Susan Quartey