A DRAFT
CONSTITUTION
OF THE
LIBERIA-AUSTRALIA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
(LAAA)
Monrovia, Liberia
2013
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dedication…………………………………………………………………..i
Acknowledgement………………………………………………………..ii
Preamble…………………………………………………………………..iii
Article: I……………………………………………………………………..1
Section One: Name of the Association
Article: 2
Section One: Head Office
Article 3
Section One: Aim and objectives
Article 4
Section One: Membership
Section Two: Categories of membership
Section Three: Subscription for Membership
Article 5
Section One: Executive Committee of the Association
Section Two: Leadership
Section Three: Functions andDuties of the Executive Committee
Section Four: Tenure of the Executive Committee
Section Five: Removal from office of Leadership members
Article 6
Section One: Regular Meeting
Section Two: Meeting Time Period & Venue
Section Three: Quorum
Section Four: Due Payment
Section Five: Custodian of Funds (Dues)
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Article 7
Qualification of a Leader
Section One: Definition of a Leader
Section Two: Eligibility to Contest in the Association’s Elections
Section Three: Eligibility of Duration with the Association
Section Four: Eligibility of Moral Standards
Section Four: Inauguration
Article 8
Duties of Officer
Section One: President
Section Two: Vice President
Section Three: General Secretary
Section Four: Financial Secretary
Section Five: Financial Officer
Section Six: Treasurer
Section Seven: Chaplain
Section Eight: Ambassador
Article 9
Elections of Officers
Section One: Electoral Body
Section Two: Functions of Electoral Body
Section Three: Rule of Simple Majority
Section Four: Tenure of Election Officers
Section Five: By-elections
Section Six: Re-elections
Section Seven: Voting Rights
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Article 10
Impeachment
Section One: Order of Impeachment
Section Two: Suspension of Appointed Officers
Section Three: Simple Majority
Section Four: Resignation of the President
Section Five: Penalty for Ineffectiveness of Officers
Section Six: Offense
Article 11
Amendments Procedures
Section One: Authorization
Section Two: Voting
Section Three: Simple Majority
Article 12
Section One: The Structure of the Judiciary Committee
Section Two: Functions and Responsibilities
Article 13
Section One: Conflict of Interest
Section Two: Adoption
Article 14
Section One: Oath of Office
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Dedication
It would not have been possible to have the Liberia Australia
Awards in Africa Alumni Association (LAAAA) without the kind
gesture of the Government of Australia through proceed from
its citizen’s taxes, from this backdrop we the Liberian
Australian Awards in Africa Alumni Association dedicate this
vision the Australian Government and its people. We would
also dedicate this Constitution to the Liberian government for
providing opportunities to Liberians who have studied in
different disciplines at various Australian Higher Learning
institutions and have returned to contribute to the growth and
development of the Country.
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Acknowledgement/ Appreciation
We the Alumni of the Liberia- Australia Alumni Association (LAAA)
express our gratitude to God Almighty, the Liberian and Australian
Governments for providing us the opportunity to acquire knowledge
in various academic disciplines in Australia. We want to thank our
various institutions, instructors and all actors relevant to the
success of our achievement in the academic sojourn for this noble
opportunity. We acknowledge our fellow colleagues, families and
our various work places in this endeavor to uphold the pride and
dignity of ourCountry, Liberia.
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Preamble
WE, THE LIBERIA-AUSTRALIA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (LAAA), in
order to promote the general welfare of our organization, and in
partnership
with
the
Government
of
Liberia
Joint
Bilateral
Scholarship Committee through AUSAid,the Ministry of Education,
and the Liberian Civil Service Agency herein and hereby set forth
the fundamental principles for ourselves and our successors with
the power to enact suitable regulations for the purpose of initiating
and carrying out our activities in an orderly and efficient manner,
and do therefore ORDAIN AND ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION.
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Article 1
Section I
Name of the Association
(a) The name of this body shall from time to time be called
“Liberia Australia Alumni Association” with acronym LAAA and
shall be referred to throughout this document as “The Association”
Article 2
Section IMotto
The Association motto shall be called “Together We Can” which
means that we can achieve many things working in unison.
Section I
Head Office
The Head Office of the Association shall be temporarily at the
Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, Congo Town- County Health
Services Rm. 423
Article 3
Section I
Aim and objectives
The aim and objectives of the Association shall be but not limited to
the following:
(a) ToactasaplatformthroughwhichMembersofthe
Association
cannetworkand
interactasagroupformutualbenefit;
(b) to assist Members of the Association to build on, and
/or
enhance,thequalificationsand
experiencegainedbyMembers
ofthe Associationfrom
Australia throughtrainingworkshops and other postqualificationeducationopportunities:
(c) toact
asanadvocacyand/orlobbygroup
fordevelopment assistance by Australia to Liberia and
for
this
purposeto
interfacewith
relevantgovernmentagenciesof both Australia and
Liberia
includingAUSAid
and
theMinistryofEducation(MOE) and the Civil Service
Agency(CSA).
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(d) to foster friendly relations between Liberiansand Australians
throughconsular, diplomatic,business, social and cultural
activitiesand projectsapprovedbyMembersofthe Association
fromtimetotime;and
(e) Anyother
purposeapprovedbyMembersoftheAssociationinaGeneralMe
eting.
Article 4
Section I
Membership
(a) The Association is for Liberian citizens who have
attendedand completedacourse ofstudy
either
short
term
or
long
term
atarecognizeduniversity, collegeor other educational
institutionof Australia. The Association shall incorporate
graduates who have studied in Australia.
Section II
Categories of Members
There will be the following categories of members:
i)
Patron Members
ii)
Regular Members
iii)Honorary Members
Section III
Subscription for Membership
a. Patron: A person who has meaningfully contributed to the
financial and moral well-being of the Association may
become a patron of this Association by invitation from the
Leadership.
b. Regular Member:any graduate with good moral conduct
may become a Regular member.
c. Honorary Member:any person who regularly identifies
with undertakings or bears interestin the development of
the Associationcan beconferred an honorary membership
by the Leadership of the Association.The Leadershipshall
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also reserve the right to revoke the membership of any
Honorary Member for good cause.
Article 5
Section I
Office Bearers of the Association
The following shall be the office bearers of the Association and they
shall constitute the Leadership: There shall be an executive
committee of the Association comprising the following:
A. President
B. Vice president
C. General Secretary
D. Financial Officer
E. Treasurer
F. Chaplin
G. The Ambassador
Section II
Leadership
The Officers listed in Article five, Section I, shall constitute elected
officials of the Association with exception of the Ambassador. They
shall serve a term of three (3) years, and shall serve for not more
than two(2) terms when re-elected.
All powers granted herein shall be vested in theLeadership of
LAAA.The Leadership of the Association shall consist of seven (7)
members.It shall frame the bye-laws of the Association. The term of
the Leadershipshall exist for the life of the Association. Members of
the Leadershipshall be elected by the general bodyduringgeneral
elections. Leadership members shall be allowed to serve for not
more than two terms. Members of the interim leadership shall be
eligible to hold proper leadership position if voted by members of
the association.
Section III
Function and Duties of the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of the Association shall run the day to
day affairs of the Association, and shall act in the absence of the
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regular meeting. However, its decisions are amendable by the
regular members in the regular meeting.
Section IV
Tenure of the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee which shall be headed by the President
shall meet once every month before the Association’s regular
meeting. The President or Executive Committee shall decide the
day, time and venue of its meeting.
Section V
Removal from office of Leadership Members
i.
Members of the Leadership can be removed from office by
the decision of at least five (5) of the seven (7) –
leadershipfor the following reasons:
(a) Corruption in the financial affairs of the Association;
(b) Conviction of felonious crime(s);
(c) Conduct(s) demeaning and detrimental to the survivor of
the Association.
Article 6
The Regular Meeting
Section I
The regular (General) meeting shall be the highest decision making
body of the Association and shall be composed of all elected and
appointed officers, all regular and patron members, as well as
honorary members.
Section II
Meeting Time Period& Venue
The regular meeting of the Association shall be held once every
month, and shall be the second Saturday of each month. Venue
and time of the regular (General) meeting shall be decided at the
regular (General) meeting taking place and venue shall be rotational
in Liberia and shall be communicated to members of Association via
email and mobile text messages.
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Section III
Quorum of Meeting
The quorum for the transaction of business of the regular (General)
meeting shall be at least three elected officers and at last four (4)
regular or patron members.
Section IV
Due Payment
Due payment constitutes members legal obligation to the
Association for its operations and functionary. Therefore, every full
member of the Association shall make a due payment per month
and in the amount of US$10.00. Due payment shall be made at
every regular (General) meeting of the Association.
Section V
Custodian of Funds (Dues)
For accountability purpose and the proper management and
security of the Association funds, there shall be an approved noble
banking institution to open a saving account with and have the
Association funds deposited from time to time for custodian. There
shall be three signatories to the bank account, and they shall be the
signatories of:
a. The President
b. The Financial Officer
c. The Treasurer
The President and any one of the two(2) officials shall sign for
withdrawal of the Association funds upon request and for its
operations.
Qualification of Officers
Article 7
Section I
Definition of a Leader
A leader is the head and a driving force of any organization, and
therefore, he/she should be of good moral character and highly
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acceptable in a decent society. He/she must be innovative,
motivating, and knowledgeable to assume the Association
leadership.
Section II
Eligibility for Study Period
The candidate must have fully completed a short or long studies
program in Australia and return to Liberia upon completion to
contribute to the nation growth.
Section III
Eligibility for Duration with the Association
The candidate must have maintained his/her membership with the
Association for two (2) years and above, and shall have attended
both regular and called meetings on a regular basis, prior to
election.
Section IV
Eligibility of Moral Standards
The candidate seeking an elected position must have maintain a
clean record and has avoided been suspended (for tedious act(s))
from the Association and its activities. He/she must be in good
financial standing with the Association prior to election.
Duties of Officers
Section I President
Article 8
The President of LAAA shall execute/enforce the by-laws and
constitution of the Association
1. He/she shall call and preside over general and leadership
meetings;
2. He/she shall submit to the general body for approval of the
proposed budget for each year during the term;
3. He/she shall appoint members on Standing Committees in
consultation with other members of the leadership;
Section IIVice President
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The Vice President shallconduct the affairs of the Association in the
absence of the president.
1. He/she shall, due to ill health, resignation, inability,
impeachment or death of the President, assume full and
complete responsibility as president of the Association.
2. He/she shall complete the unexpired term of the president,
and may be elected as president in his/her own right.
3. He/she shall take up other responsibilities as may be assigned
by the president or the Association.
Sec. III:General Secretary
The General Secretary shall have the following responsibilities:
1. He/she shall be the custodian of all records and documents of
the Association;
2. He/she shall call and arrange meetings of the Leadership and
the General Body upon the request of the President.
3. He/she shall record the minutes of the meetings of the
Leadership and the Regular meeting;
4. He/she shall maintain an up-to-date registry of all Regular
members, Patron members and Honorary Members; and of all
subscriptions and donations;
5. He/she shall maintain a property registry and all such
registries as may be necessary in connection with the work of
the Association;
6. He/she
shall disseminate
all
information
including
announcements/notice for meetings and other events;
7. He/she shall perform all other assignments as may be
delegated by the President.
Section IVFinancial Secretary
The Financial Secretary shall have the following responsibilities:
The Financial Secretary is responsible for the disbursement and
accounting of LAAA funds to be assisted by the Treasurer.
1. He/she shall keep a monthly bank reconciliation of funds kept
in the bank by the Treasurer;
2. He/she shall record all financial transaction of the
Association;
3. He /She shall prepare a budget for the succeeding financial
year and present same to the President;
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4. He/she shall aid the President in preparing the Association’s
annual budget;
5. He/she shall assist the General Secretary in the discharge of
his/her duties and functions regarding finances/accounts of
the Association;
6. He/she shall perform such other duties and functions as may
be entrusted to him/her by the President;
7. He/she shall serve as Advisor to the President on Financial
Matters.
Section V Finance Officer
The Financial Officer shall be responsible to collect and receive
all monies owned by the Association, and shall record same in
amount and shall deposit same with the treasurer.
1. He/she shall prepare and record all vouchers for cash receipts
and disbursement purposes.
2. He/she shall from time to time make monthly reports to the
Association on financial matters during regular (General)
meeting of the month.
3. He/she shall be a signatory to the Association’s bank account
and shall perform all other tasks that maybe assigned by the
President or the Association.
SectionVI Treasurer
1. The Treasurer shall be the Chief Custodian of the Association
funds.
2. He/she shall provide receipts to the financial officer upon the
receipt of all finances belonging to the Association.
3. He/she shall deposit all funds in an approved bank for safe
keeping within twenty-four (24) hours.
4. He/she shall be responsible to properly record and report on
all disbursements made for and on behalf of the Association.
5. He/she shall, from time to time, submit a written report on the
financial position of the Association, especially on financial
matters relating to his/her office the same time as the
financial officer.
6. He/she shall serve the president and financial secretary with
copies of deposits and / or withdrawals slips after every bank
transaction.
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7. He/she shall be one of the signatories to the Association’s
bank accounts, and shall perform other tasks as may be
assigned.
Section VIIChaplain
The Chaplain shall have the following functions:
1. He/she shall be the Spiritual Leader of the Association;
2. He/she shall be responsible to lead prayers during the
Association’s functions;
3. He/she shall serve as Religious Advisor for the Association.
Sec. VIII: The Ambassador
The Ambassador shall always be an ex-officio of the leadership. In
the event of voting, He/she shall break the tie, other than general
elections.
Article 9
Elections of Officers
Section I
Electoral Body
The election of officers of the Association shall be conducted by an
Election Commission composed of five (5) persons, all of whom,
including its Chairperson, shall be appointed by the President with
the consent of the Executive Committee.
Section II
Functions of Electoral Body
The election commission shall draw up guidelines for free, fair, and
transparent elections, and that those guidelines shall not
contravene the Association’s constitutional provisions.
Section III
Rule of Simple Majority
The officers of the Association shall be elected by a simple majority
vote of all full members present on election’s day. This shall be done
by a secret ballot.
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Section IV
Tenure of Elections of Officers
The elections of officers will be held after every three (3) years. It
shall be done two (2) months prior to the end of the current
leadership term of office.
Section V
By-election
Whenever there exist a vacancy within the executive, and there is a
need to fill such vacancy by election, a by-election shall be
conducted during the regular meeting.
Section VI
Re-election
All officers shall be elected for a three (3) years period. Any officer or
group of officers may be re-elected for a second term of office but
that no one person shall be allowed to serve a particular office for
more than two (2) terms.
Section VII
Voting Rights
Voting rights and candidacy shall be limited to only full member of
the Association, and that voting on election’s day is vested in full
members of the Association who possess valid membership
identification cards.
Impeachment
Article 10
Section I
Order of Impeachment
It is the body that creates and makes up the Association, and if
these people are not satisfied with the rule of the government in any
way they feel, in reference to article 10, sec. VI, they may, through
peaceful means eradicate it and established a new one that would
solve the common problems of the Association.
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Section II
Suspension of Appointed Officers
Appointed officers maybe recommended for suspension or removal
from office by the President upon the presentation of sufficient
evidences to substantiate his/her recommendation to the executive
committee and/or the regular meeting for endorsement. A decision
must be taken after an election of two third (2/3) majority of either
the executive or regular meeting.
Section III
Simple Majority
Any elected officer of the bond, except the President, maybe
suspended from office by two third (2/3) vote of all full members
present at a regular meeting.
Section IV
Resignation of the President
The regular meeting may request the resignation of the President of
the Association provided the magnitude of the offense he/she has
committed is of grave nature and warrants the immediate attention
of the Association. The resignation of the president shall be
submitted within two weeks as of the date of the decision and after
which, if not submitted, an emergency regular meeting shall be
called and impeachment proceeding be brought against the
President.
Section V
Penalty for Ineffectiveness of an Officer
Any officer that is inefficient or incapable in anyway the members of
the Association deem necessary, may, by two-third (2/3) vote of all
regular members be impeached.
Section VI
Offense
An
offense
is
defined
as
misconduct,
mismanagement/embezzlement
of
the
Association’s
resources/funds, and misuse of office, negligence of duty, and any
other such act or behavior that brings disgrace and embarrassment
to the Association.
Article 11
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Amendments Procedures:
All amendments to this Constitution shall follow these procedures:
Section I
Authorization
It shall be presented in written form to the President or Presiding
Officer during regular meeting. The President or Presiding Officer
shall then authorize the Secretary to read the amendment or
amendments to the body before the end of the meeting.
Section II
Voting
The amendment or amendments shall be tabled until a subsequent
meeting when a vote shall be taken for the amendment of the
constitution.
Section III
Simple Majority
If there is a quorum for the transaction of business when an
amendment is initiated, a vote shall be taken and if two-third (2/3)
majority votes are in favor, the Constitution shall be amended.
Article 12
Section I
Judiciary Committee (Structure)
There shall be a Judiciary Committee constituted by the
Leadership. The Judiciary Committee shall be composed of a Chief
Justice and four (4) Associate Justices; three (3) of which, including
the Chief Justice shall be Regular Members; one(1) Patron Member
and one Honorary Member.
Section II
Functions and Responsibilities:
i.
The Judiciary Committee shall hold office continuously while
in good health; and shall be removed from office for good
causeby seventy-five per cent (75%) of the number of Regular
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ii.
Members present for the investigation.
The Chief Justice shall be responsible for the enforcement of
rules necessary and agreed upon by the Committee for the
maintenance of high standards and practice amongst
members of the Judiciary Committee.
iii. The Judiciary Committee shall have jurisdiction in the
following cases:
iv.
(a)
In all cases involving constitutional matters, the ByLaws, impeachment and violation of the Elections rules
and regulation; and shall have the power to interpret
LAAA’s constitution and By-laws;
(b)
In cases where a Regular Member with standing brings a
complaint where he believes or alleges a constitutional
violations of his rights;
In all cases brought before it, the Judiciary Committee shall at
all times conduct itself in accordance with the following
procedures:
(a)
A written notice shall be issued at least three (3) days
prior to the date of the hearing which shall state the time
and place of the meeting;
(b)
Written statements of the violation in sufficient detail as
to enable the accused prepare a defense;
(c) The Judiciary Committee shall conform to the doctrine of
“Due Process”;
(d)
The Judiciary Committee shall render decisions on all
cases within seventy two (72) hours.
(e)
At least the decision of three justices shall be sufficient to
constitute the opinion of the Committee;
(f)
The Judiciary Committee shall make available its written
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opinion in cases heard by it within one week subsequent
to the rendition of its opinion.
(g)
The decision/opinion of the Judiciary Committee shall be
final and not subject to appeal/review. However, there
shall be opportunity for re-argument in the event where
material facts were inadvertently overlooked, and
prejudice one party.
Article 13
Conflict of Interest
Section I
A conflict of interest involves any action, inaction, or decision by a
member of the Association in the discharge of his or her official
duties which would materially affect his or her financial interest or
those of his or her family members or any business with which the
person is associated in a manner different from the manner it
affects the other members of the class to which he or she belongs.
Section II
A Committee member while performing his/her duty becomes aware
of any potential or actual conflict between his/her interest and that
of LAAA, he/she shall immediately inform LAAA.
A member
Section III
An Executive Committee member shall not get in connection with
any forms of remuneration that might conflict the interest of LAAA.
Section IV
Adoption
a) This constitution shall come into force upon a referendum
by the Alumni;
b) Upon the Adoption of this constitution, any or laws before
in existence shall be considered null and void.
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Article 14
Section I
Oath of Office
All elected members of the LAAA shall repeat the following oath
before taking office:
“I, (Name of Officer)do solemnly swear or affirm; that I will diligently
obey and uphold the Constitution of the LAAA. I am aware of the
duties of my office as (Name of Office)and will maintain scholastic,
moral and ethical standards. I will also, to the best of my abilities,
uphold my office as described in this Constitution; and at all times
conduct myself as a member of the LAAA, so help me God.
Constitution Committee Members:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Eric FilorNagbe
Prince K. Koinah
Lonnie Herring
Vera G. Mussah
Cassandra Hampton
Sam Summerville
LassanaKromah
Teta Lincoln
Chairman
Co-chairman
Member
Contributor
Contributor
Contributor
Contributor
Contributor
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