Family Health Support Organisation

DRAWN BY:
Promoters
P. O. Box 33783 Kampala (U)
+256-774-086477

CONSTITUTION OF
FAMILY HEALTH SUPPORT
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATION

PREAMBLE

WE THE MEMBERS OF FAMILY HEALTH SUPPORT ORGANISATION NOTING that we are members of the Ugandan civil society;

COMMITTED to informing, educating and empowering the citizens of Uganda to overcome the problems of the increasing prevalence of pandemics such as HIV /AIDS and epidemics like malaria, environmental degradation and effects of climate change, insufficient knowledge and access to ICT services, poor health and nutrition standards, lack of entrepreneurship and development skills, continued violation of human rights and persistence of illiteracy in society;
RECOGNIZING the challenges at hand and the individual members’ potential in discharging obligations as a well informed group and the need to work as a team for improved service delivery; and
COMMITED to opening work relationships with other development oriented organizations in the struggle for reduction and eradication of the above problems.
DO HEREBY now agree to form a Community Based organization and solemnly adopt, enact and give to ourselves and our posterity, this constitution of FAMILY HEALTH SUPPORT, this 15^th day of the month of December of the year 2008.

1. NAME AND ADDRESS

1.1 The name of this Community Based organization is Family Health Support.
1.2 The address of the organization shall be P.O.Box 33783,Kampala Uganda.

2. SUPREMACY

This constitution shall be the supreme law of the Community Based organization and any resolutions, decisions or policies inconsistent with this constitution shall be null and void to the extent of the inconsistence.

3. OBJECTIVES

The organization shall be established as a non-profit charitable organization registered with the Ministry of Rehabilitation. Its objectives shall be:

3.1 To contribute to the fight against the prevalence of pandemics such as HIV/AIDS, and other epidemic diseases such as as malaria, in Uganda;
3.2 To provide social, moral, medical and educational assistance or rehabilitation to such children;
3.3 To improve the health and nutritional status of the children and their caretakers through the Child Development Programme; and
3.4 To carry out any such activity as may be incidental and conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.

4. MEMBERSHIP

4.1 Classes of membership

Membership shall comprise of two categories.

4.1.1 Full membership
This will be open for all persons who shall fulfill the Community Based organization’s requirements as stipulated in the constitution.
4.1.2 Organization membership
This shall be granted to organizations with similar aims and objectives.
4.2 Register of members
The names, addresses and other details of members shall be entered in the registry book maintained by the organization in the relevant category of membership.
4.3 Eligibility for membership
Active participation and motivation of members will lead to the future success of the organization. Therefore, a person to become a member should first be evaluated carefully. Membership shall be open to all youths who may apply and that are approved by the organization’s registrar. The founders of the organization have permanent membership as long as they do not resign from their duties.
4.3.1 A member is a youth from any part of Uganda or elsewhere in the world who duly conforms to the values of a good citizen and between 13 and 35 years of age. Individuals out of this age

bracket will only be granted membership by the registrars after approval by the Board of Directors.
4.3.2 A member should understand fully the objectives of the organization and works diligently towards achievement of these objectives.
4.3.3 A member shall pay the required membership fee of shs 5,000/- (1,90€) and the annual subscription fee of shs 10,000/- (3,80€) per member with EXCEPTION of the Board of Directors, and Board of Trustees.
4.3.3 Children can belong to the organization without being official members.
4.3.5 The registration of new members should be done by two senior organization registrars subject to approval by the board of directors.
4.3.6 Permanent membership-this membership will only be extended to founder members of this organization provided they remain active, committed to their work.

4.4 Rights and obligations of members

All members shall have rights and obligations to:

4.4.1 Vote on any matters at any General meeting.
4.4.2 See any monthly statement of accounts with presentation of genuine reason for the exercise.
4.4.3 Vote in the election of the executive committee.
4.4.4 Request for a special General meeting provided that this request is supported by at least one quarter of the total number of members, with the director among.
4.4.5 Elect or be elected to any organ or committee of the organization.
4.4.6 Take full part in any or all of the activities afforded by the organization when selected among the undertakers of the activity.
4.4.7 Abide by the rules of the organization.
4.4.8 Pay their annual subscription fee and membership fee.

4.5 Rights of members not transferable
The rights and privileges of each member of any category shall be personal to the member and shall not be transferable or transmissible by the members own act or by operation of the law.

4.6 Termination of membership

Termination of membership shall result from:-
4.6.1 Death of a member.
4.6.2 Proof of conduct detrimental to the objectives of the association.
4.6.3 Expulsion from membership by the executive committee.
4.6.4 Failure to meet their obligations such an annual subscription fee as set in this constitution within a speculated period agreed upon by the general meeting. The executive committee shall have the right to expel any member who conducts himself/ herself in a way detrimental to the good name and objectives of the organization.
4.6.5 Mental or physical incapacity.
4.6.6 Voluntary resignation from the organization.

4.7 Resignation, Re-admission and Expulsion

4.7.1 Resignation
A member of the organization in any category may resign from the organization by writing a resignation letter addressed to the chairperson only after full payment of subscriptions in arrears including that for the current year. A member’s name shall be removed from the organization’s registry book as from the date the resignation becomes effective.

4.7.2 Re-admission
The executive committee may readmit to membership any former member of the organization as long as the member is found worthy for readmission and pays all subscription arrears, registration fees and others as determined by the executive committee.
4.7.3 Expulsion
The Executive committee may by resolution discontinue receiving the subscription of any member who willfully acts in contrast to the constitution or rules of the organization. A member shall be accorded an opportunity of appearing before the disciplinary committee to present ones defense.

5. ORGANIZATION

5.1 The headquarters of the organization
The headquarters of the organization shall until otherwise determined be located in Kawempe Division.
5.2 Establishment of branches
FAMILY HEALTH SUPPORT shall establish branches in some other areas of the country as shall deem fit in fostering the objectives of the organization. In such circumstances the constitution shall be amended accordingly.
5.3 Dissolution of branches

The organization may dissolve any such branch at any time with approval of the Executive committee.

6. MANAGEMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION

6.1 Executive committee
6.1.1 The executive committee shall be composed of 11 (eleven) members.

1. CHAIRPERSON
2. VICE CHAIRPERSON
3. COORDINATOR
4. TREASURER
5. SECRETARY
6. PUBLICITY SECRETARY
7. MOBILIZATION SECRETARY
8. FOUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS (Public Relations Officer, Programmes Manager, Member Secretary, Prime Registrar)

6.1.2 Election of office bearers
i. The election of executive committee shall be by consensus or vote. This will take action after a period of 5 years after the organization has been fully established and stabilized.
ii. The executive committee shall be elected at the Annual General meeting and shall hold office for one calendar year until the next General meeting, so long as they continue to be members of the organization.
iii. Additional members may be co-opted into the committee for specific purposes or special representative for any other particular activity.
iv. Members of the committee who, without valid reason, fail to attend meetings on four (4) consecutive occasions shall cease to hold office.
v. The committee shall have the powers to fill vacancies created under clause 5 above, subject to approval at the next General Assembly.
vi. The executive committee shall have the powers to appoint a sub-committee when deemed necessary.
vii. The quorum for an executive committee meeting shall be at least 2/3 of the members.
viii. The Board of Directors will automatically constitute Founders of the organization and Representatives to donor agencies. The founders only will convene a formal meeting and elect the chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary among themselves.
ix. The Board of Trustee members will assume office on appointment by the Board of Directors. However Board of Directors will first convene a special meeting where desired personalities of high standing in society will be vetted and approved to constitute the Board of Trustees.
x. The Board of Trustee will constitute 6 members, and it will be their role to elect a chairperson, secretary and treasurer among themselves. The rest will just be members on the Board.
6.2 Primary duties of the executive committee members.

The committee shall be responsible for the smooth running of the organization. It is the heart of the organization, a driving force that thinks plans and directs.

6.2.1 Chairperson
i. Shall render technical advice to the organization.
ii. Shall be the Chief Executive of the organization.
iii. Shall preside over all meetings of the organization.
iv. Shall be the spokesperson of the organization
v. Shall be a signatory to the organization account as well as perform all necessary financial transactions together with the Executive secretary and treasurer on behalf of the organization.
vi. Perform all other functions as may be necessary for the smooth running of the organization.

6.2.2 Vice Chairperson
i. Perform all the duties of the chairperson in his/her absence.
ii. Perform any other duties as may be determined by the executive committee.

6.2.3 Coordinator
i. In liaison with committee members the coordinator shall implement all the decisions responsible for the General Administration of the organization.
ii. In liaison with field social workers he/she shall be responsible for the General organization of the rural groups and to over see day to day operations in the target areas.
iii. Shall also be responsible for coordinating different groups, services and duties.

6.2.4 Treasurer
i. Shall keep all financial records and books of accounts of the organization.
ii. Receive all donations, grants, gifts and any other funds on behalf of the organization.
iii. Draw up proposed budgets and present financial transactions of the organization.
iv. Shall be a signatory to the organization Account.
v. Advises the organization on socio-economic implications of any act to be undertaken.


6.2.4 Secretary
i. Shall be secretary to executive committee and organization and in such a capacity keep a true record of all proceedings.
ii. Shall publish notices of all meetings for the organization together with the agenda for such meetings.
iii. Shall record, distribute and keep all minutes and other documents belonging to and concerning the organization.
iv. Keep an attendance register of members.
v. Carry all correspondences relative to the work of the organization and maintain systematic archives for all documents and correspondences relating to the activities of the organization.
vi. Receive any constitutional amendments and agenda proposals and any other communications about the organization.

6.2.6 Publicity Secretary
i. Disseminate all information concerning the organization amongst its members and the general public.
ii. Perform all other duties as may be assigned by the executive committee.

6.2.7 Mobilization Secretary
i. Shall directly communicate to members in case of meetings and other occasions as deemed necessary by the executive committee.
ii. Perform all other duties as may be assigned by the executive committee.