THE CONSTITUTION OF IMMANUEL COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL ORITA U.I IBADAN OLD STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (ICOSA) PREAMBLE: We the formerstudents of Immanuel College High School (the School), having re-organised ourselves into one body “Immanuel College High School Old Students Association(ICOSA)” with the aim stated hereunder, hereby, adopt and give unto ourselves the following constitution: SECTION 1: NAME The Name of the Association shall be Immanuel College High School Old Students Association (ICOSA; or the Association). SECTION 2:NATURE, GOAL AND OBJECT (1) Nature: The Association shall be a non-profit organization with a Central Executive and a general assembly. Provided that the Association may or may not function in Regional/ State Branches, as may be decided by the general assembly. (2) Goal: The goal of the Association shall essentiallybe to restore and sustain the former glory of academic, sporting and moral excellence of the School by bringing together former students and all interested stakeholders to achieve these goals. (3): Objective: The objective of the Association shall be: a. To bring all the former students together to provide a common forum where they can deliberate on matters concerning the membership of the Associationand the interest of the school; b. To take up the matters affecting the School anddiscuss same with the appropriate agency/authority for the progress of the school and the mutual benefit of members of the Association; c. To work tirelessly in mobilizing resources to assist, rebuild the school and sustain the maintenance of same; d. To assist the school come up with viable Income Generating Activities or Projects. Provided that the funds generated therefrom shall be used solely for the benefit of the school; e. To encourage and foster the interest of the old students in the present day activities and aspirations of the school; f. To make contributions in the sphere of education by rendering help to the school and also to the community in general; g. To unite both past and present students of the school and maintain the ties of friendship and accelerated human capacity building amongst them; h. To provide a medium by which interest in the school shall be generated, promoted and sustained among the past students; i. To promote the fellowship and well being of the past students of the school and its predecessors; j. To meet, deliberate and formulate plans and measures deemed suitable and appropriate to advance the betterment and progress of the past students; k. To help the school consistently maintain the high academic, oral and moral standards for which the school is noted; l. To help the association and the school maintain a sense of transparency and encourage accountability in all their dealings, leadership and good governance; m. To promote facilities for dissemination of total education to the students of the school; n. To promote the operation of business cooperatives amongst its members; o. To influence Government Policy in the interest of good and quality education for the students of the school; SECTION 3:MEMBERSHIP (1) Eligibility Eligibility for membership shall be primarily restricted to: a. Former students of Immanuel College High School Orita U.I Ibadan Oyo State who dully completed their terms of study at the school at all material times (Convocated members). (2)Honorary Membership a. Persons who were and are actively engaged in Art, Science and Education may be elected as honorary members. The admittance of these persons to the honourary membership of the Association shall however be subject to a two third resolution of the Annual General Meeting whereby a quorum of sixty convocated members (60)is formed. (3) Life Membership a. Life membership shall beobtained by any member who pays a lump sum towards membership in the Association for his lifetime. The amount paid for this membership shall be fixed by the Central Executive and shall be subject to the two third ratification of the Association from time to time. SECTION 4:OFFICERS AND TENURE (1)Officers:The Officers of the Association shall be: a) President; b) Vice President; c) Secretary; d) Assistant Secretary; e) Treasurer; f) Assistant Treasurer; g) Public Relations Officer; h) Ex-Officio; i) Adviser. (2) Election into offices a. The Presidential candidates shall be Alumni members who graduated from the school not less than 15 years before the date of election; b. The Presidential Candidates shall be persons of impeccable character with the requisite leadership skills; c. The Vice Presidential candidates shall be Alumni members who graduated from the school not less than 10 years before the date of election; d. The candidates for the post of Secretary shall be an Alumni who graduated from the school not less than 6 years before the date of election; e. The candidates for the post of Secretary shall be a university degree holder with a sound command of English language; f. The candidates for the post of Treasurer shall be an Alumni who graduated from the school not less than 6 years before the date of election; g. The candidates for the post of Treasurer shall be a Bachelor of Sciences. Or Higher National Diploma graduate with good understanding of basic accounting principles; h. Candidates for the posts of Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary shall be Alumni members who graduated from the school not less than 5 years before the date of election; i. The candidates for the post of Public relations Officer shall be Alumni members who graduated from the school not less than 3 years before the date of election; j. Elections into the offices of an Ex-Officio and Adviser shall be by a majority vote cast by the General Meeting of the Association on the election date; k. Candidates for the post of Ex-officio shall be a member of the outgoing executive while the Adviser shall be nominated by the central executive and shall be a member of the Association who graduated from the School not less than 20 years before the election date; l. No member shall be qualified to contest and election if he is standing trial for any criminal charges before any court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria; m. Consistent financial responsibility in form of payment of dues in the Association shall be a prerequisite for the eligibility to contest in the election to the central executive. (3)Election a) All the Officers elected by the Association shall hold their respective office for a period of two (2) years subject to re-election; b) No Officer of the Association shall be entitled to be re-elected to the same office for more than two terms; c) Elections of Officers shall be held at the Annual General Meeting; d) In the event of casual vacancy of whichever kind in any post, the Executive may appoint another member to act in the capacity until the next Annual General Meeting. SECTION 5:VOTING i. Each member of the Association shall be entitled to one voteand the vote shall be recognized by show of hands; ii. In the case of a deadlock, the President reserves the right to a casting vote. SECTION 6: DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS 1) President: The duties of the president shall be to: i. Preside over all meetings of members and of the Executive Committee. ii. Perform such other duties as customarily appertain to the Office of president or as he may be directed to perform, by resolution of the Executive Committee or by the members voting at an Annual General Meeting. 2) VicePresidents: The responsibilities of the three Vice Presidents shall be: i. To attend all meetings of the Executive Committee; ii. To diligently execute the portfolio responsibilitiesassigned by the President in pursuit of the objectives of the Association. iii. To assume the office of the President, in descending order, and shall assume his/her dutiesin the event of the absenceor disability of the President or his refusal to act, perform the dutiesand/or all such other duties as the Executive Committee may from time to time prescribe 3) Secretary: The duties of the Secretary shall be to: i. To attend all Executive Committee, Annual, Special and General Meetings; ii. Have custody of all records, documents, correspondence, stationery, stamp and seals etc. belonging to the Association; iii. Prepare and issue notices for meetings where necessary; iv. Arrange for and prepare meeting place; v. Record accurate Minutes of all meetings of members and the Committee and present these to the succeeding meetings; vi. Receive incoming correspondence and present these to the appropriate meetings and where immediate reply is required, discuss such reply with the president; vii. Write all correspondence on behalf of the Association; viii. Attend and keep a complete record of attendance of members and of all decisions taken at the meeting; ix. Prepare an Agenda for meetings after consultation with the President. 4) Assistant Secretary: The responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary shall be: i. To attend all Executive Committee, Annual, Special and General Meetings; ii. To assist the Secretary; iii. To assume the responsibilities of the Secretary in the event of the absence or disability of the Secretary or his/herrefusal to act, perform the duties and/or such other duties as the Executive Committee may from time to time prescribe. 5) Treasurer: The duties of Treasurer shall be to: i. To attend all Executive Committee, Annual,Special and General Meetings; ii. Oversee the financial management and account, and affairs of the Association, including the bookkeeping forms and other obligations; iii. Keep or have kept all funds of the Association in banks or other registered approved financial institutions designated by the Executive Committee; iv. Keep or have kept all books of accounts, supervise the accounting of the Association and perform all duties incidental to the Office of Treasurer; v. Ensure that the Executive Committee receives Financial Statements on a regular basis or as requested by the Committee. vi. Produce all books, property and monies of the Association in his possession when requested to do so; vii. Sign cheques, agreements, drafts, and other negotiable or transferable instruments drawn by the Association as may be required in the process of the Association’s business; viii. Ensure the presentation of financial reports to the Executive Committee at it meetings; ix. Perform all other duties as appertain to the Office of Treasurer and as the Executive Committee may assign from time to time. 6) Assistant Treasurer: The duties of the Assistant Treasurer shall be: i. To attend all Executive Committee, Annual, Special and General meetings; ii. To assist the Treasurer in the execution of his functions; iii. To perform the responsibilities of the Treasurer in the event of his absence, disability or his refusal to act; provided that in the absence or disability of the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer or their refusal to act, the Committee may appoint another memberto act temporarily in their place. 7) Ex-Officio: The responsibilities of the Ex-officio shall be: i. To attend all Executive Committee, Annual, Special and General meetings; ii. To ensure the orderly conduct of Executive Committee meetings. iii. To provide guidance to the President in the proper conduct of the affairs of the Association. iv. To perform all other duties as appertain to the Office of Immediate Past President and as the Executive Committee may assign from time to time. 8) Public Relations Officer:The duties of the public relations officer shall be: i. To conduct of all matters relating to the interaction of the Association and the general public. ii. To promote and facilitate of all forum geared towards the dissemination of knowledge and matters to do with the interest of the Association. iii. To conduct the dissemination of all relevant information for the benefit of the members of the Association. iv. To play a pivotal role in all fundraising and welfare activities of the Association. v. To perform all other duties as appertain to the Office of Public Relations Officer and as the Executive Committee may assign from time to time. vi. Pursue relationships with other relevant National and International Association. SECTION 7: DISQUALIFICATION Any member of the Executive Committee who fails to attend four (4) consecutive meetings without the approval of the Executive shall forfeit his seat and the seat may be declared vacant. SECTION 8: IMPEACHMENT 1. Any member of the central executive who fails to carry out his duties as provided by this constitution shall be subject to impeachment; 2. Any member who is guilty of financial misappropriation of the Association’s funds; 3. Any member of the central executive who becomes mentally incapacitated shall be subject to impeachment; 4. Any member of the central executive who is convicted for a criminal offence shall be subject to impeachment. 5. On an allegation of any of the impeachment grounds above, a motion for impeachment shall be moved by any member of the association who shall furnish the house with particulars and facts of his claims. 6. The central executive (with the exclusion of the officer under probe) shall set up a disciplinary panel to look into the alleged misconduct or ground of impeachment. 7. The disciplinary panel shall look into the allegations and forward its findings to the central executive; 8. The Chairman of the disciplinary panel shall give the report to the general meeting. 9. Where the officer is found guilty he shall stand suspended from the executive and, his impeachment shall be subject to 2/3 majority vote of the general meeting. SECTION 9: POWER AND FUNCTION OF EXECUTIVE Executive shall be empowered to carry out the following functions: a) Appointment standing committees, namely: i. Fund Raising, Finance and Investments; ii. Public Relations and Education Policy iii. Education and Institutional Affairs iv. Membership Welfare and Fellowship v. Any other Committee that the Executive shall deem necessary from time to time. b) Make recommendations and execute any project decided upon by the Association c) To formulate policies within the framework of the Constitution. d) To convene all meetings of the Association e) To authorize the expenditure of the funds of the Association. f) To give a general report of its activities at the Annual General Meeting g) To perform all other necessary duties in the interest of the Association h) To meet as often as is necessary to transact the business of the Association but at least once every two months i) To enter into contracts and financial transactions on behalf of the Association. j) To summon General Meetings in accordance with this Constitution k) To admit members l) To lease, buy or receive donation, land and other property, and to erect such facilities and structures as may be required for the business of the Association m) To perform such other duties as the members in General Meetings shall authorize. SECTION 10: GENERAL MEETINGS (1)Annual Annual General Meetings shall be held in December each year. If for any reason the meeting is not held as provided; the Executive committee shall ensure that the meeting is held not more than six months after December of the preceding year. (2)Extra-ordinary Meeting –May be called by: a) The President in consultation with the Executive Committee. b) The Secretary on receipt of a petition signed by not less than twenty (20) members, in good standing, stating the matter to be discussed. The agenda must accompany the Notice of Meeting. The quorum of such a meeting shall be thirty (30)members c) Ifall conditions of Article VI section 2(b) have been satisfied and a meeting is not called in accordance with Article VI, (3)Quorum for General and Adjourned Meetings (a)The quorum for a general meeting shall be twenty five (25) of the registered members (b)The quorum for an adjourned Annual Meeting shall be twentyfive (25) of the members. An adjourned meeting shall be called within six months (6) months of the date of the General Meeting. (4)Notice of General Meeting At least Twenty Eight (28) clear days’ notice shall be given to all registered members for the holding of general meetings. (5)Resolutions and Amendments i. All resolutions and proposed constitutional amendments for Annual General Meetings must be sent in to the Secretary at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the meeting except by special permission of the General Meeting. ii. All resolutions shall be acceptedat the Annual General Meeting by two-third (2/3) of the members voting favour. SECTION 11: AMENDMENT OFTHE CONSTITUTION The Constitution may be amended by a team of 4 members of the association headed by a Legal Practitioner and the team shall be appointed by the resolution of the Association. The proposed amendment shall be subject to ratification at an Annual General Meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of all membersin good standingpresent, provided at least fourteen (14) days clear notice has been given to the general membership, of all such proposed amendments. SECTION 12: FINANCES (1) Fees a) The annual duesof the Association shall be Twenty Thousand Naira (20,000.00) per annum or any other fee fixed by an Annual General Meeting from time to time. b) Fees shall be payable within a year and may be paid in full or in instalment Direct to the Accredited Financial Institution to the credit of the Association (2)Financial Report A financial statement by the Treasurer shall be presented at Annual General Meetings. (3)Banking a) The funds of the Association shall be lodged in an Accredited Financial Institution to the credit of the Association. b) All payments made from the fundsof the association shallbe doneon the basis of appropriate supporting documents deemed, by the treasurer and at least one other signing officer, to be bona-fide association expenses. c) The following officers shall be designated signing officers for all financial, legal and proprietary transactions on behalf of the Association. The treasurer and anyone of the following: i. President ii. Vice President iii. Secretary d) The Executive shall have the power to make investments in the interest and name of the Association from time to time. (4) Fund Raising A. The association may from time engage in the raising of funds to finance the various projects and activities of the organizations. B. All functions held in the name of the Association must receive prior approval of the executive committee. C. Funds obtained from membership dues or fees, members’ donations and fund raising activities involving the members of the Association shall be used for administrative purposes. D. Funds obtained from corporate donations and from fundraising activities involving the general public should be used exclusively for the financing of projects approved by the executive committee SECTION 12: ADOPTION OF BY-LAWS 1. By-Laws may be enacted but shall be subject to the prior approval of the Executive before they are adopted. 2. The Association may in general meeting adopt such by-laws as it deems necessary for the efficient functioning of the Association; providing it does not contravene the Constitution. SECTION 13: BRANCHES The Branches shall carry out the objectives of the Association SECTION 14: ACTIVITIES OF BRANCHES (1)Each Branch shall function under the constitution and by-laws of the Association as approved by the Executive Committee (2)The Chairman of each Branchor his nomineeshall represent the Branch at the Central Executive. (3) Where any or all the Branches cease to existand isnot resuscitated within one year all the funds and assets owned by that Branch shall be turned over to the Central Executive who will keep those in trust for the Branch or Branches concerned. If a defunct Branch is not resuscitated within two(2) years, the funds and assets may be used by the Central Body for the benefit of the Association. (4)The Branches shall collect the fee of Twenty Thousand Naira (20,000.00)per year from each member for the Association: Fifty percent (50%) of such fees collected shall be retained by the Branch and the other fifty percent (50%) remittedto the Treasurer of the Central Body together with the name of all (paying members) those members who have paid (5)The portion of fees retained by the Branch is to be used by theExecutive for the proper functioning of the Branch. (6)The Treasurer of the Central Executive shall issue receipts for monies received from the Branches. (7)Branches shall issue receipt to members and keep proper record of all funds (8) All other funds raised by the Branch shall be managed by the Branch (9) Information to Branches shall be addressed to the Chairman of each Branch (10)The Branches shall annually supply the Executive with copy of their annual report, annualfinancial statements, and any other information requested by the Executive (11)Branches meet for regular meetings at least once per quarterand hold their Annual General Meeting by August each year. (12)The Central Executivereserves the right to audit the accounts of anyBranch. (13)The Central Executive shall issue membership cards to membersin good financial standing. (14)The quorum of the following meetings shall be 1.All General Meetings –ten (10)paid up members; 2.Adjourned General Meeting –ten (10) paid up members 3.Executive Meetings –five (5) members 4.Extra-ordinary meetings –fifteen (15) paid up members SECTION 15: SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION This constitution shall guide the affair of the Association and shall be the governing law of the Association. Provided that any other law of any nature within the Association which is contrary to the provisions of this constitution shall remain null and void to the extent of its inconsistency with this constitution.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 17:42:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015