THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
YOUNG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION OF THE GAMBIA
ARTICLE 1
CHAPTER 1
PREAMBLE
WE the members of
the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia;
AWARE of the duties and responsibilities towards the growth and development
of the Association;
COMMITTED to build an Association capable of meeting the challenges of the
present and future;
CONVINCED that the growth and development of the Association entails
incorporation of young reporters of all shades of opinion in order to
accomplish the purpose of a free and vibrant press;
DETERMINED to promote all the aims and objectives of the Association;
DO HEREBY, in and through this professional body, solemnly enact, adapt and give
to our prosperity, and us,
This constitution
of the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia, on this 16th day
of September, 2007.
CHAPTER 2
NAME:
Name of the
Association shall be “YOUNG JOURNALISTS
ASSOCIATION OF THE GAMBIA” (YJAG)
CHAPTER 3
MOTTO: Capacity Building, Duty to Inform
ARTICLE 2
AIMS/OBJECTIVES
i)
To
foster unity and mutual understanding among the young media practitioners in
the Gambia.
ii)
To
promote the wellbeing of young journalists in the country.
iii)
To
address common issues of concern to young journalist
iv)
To
promote freedom of expression in The Gambia
v)
To
build the capacities of young journalists.
vi)
To
foster cordial media-government
relationship for mutual benefit.
vii)
To
foster collaboration between young journalists in The Gambia and our
counterparts outside the country.
viii)
To
hold various media houses in the country accountable of their responsibilities
towards young journalists especially freelancers taking into consideration the
crucial role they play.
ARTICLE 3
MEMBERSHIP
CHAPTER 1
i)
FULL MEMBERSHIP- This type of membership is meant for
practicing journalists between the ages
of 18 and 35.
CHAPTER 2
ii)
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP-This category of membership comprises of Associations
and individuals who cherish the objectives of the Association.
CHAPTER 3
iii)
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP-The kind of membership shall be granted to
journalists and non-journalists who may wish to offer any kind of support to Association.
iv)
NB: All members must adhere to rules and
regulations of the Association; defend the constitution at all times.
ARTICLE 4
MEETINGS
a)
-
Executive shall meet at least once every month prior to general meetings.
- The president in consultation with the
secretary and PRO shall sermon a meeting at any given time whenever the need
arises.
b)
-
There shall be an Annual General Meeting each year to be called AGM
-The place and time of the AGM shall be decided by the president of
YJAG in consultation with the executive, giving at least 30 days notice.
-All meetings shall be presided over by the
president of YJAG.
c) EXTRAORDINARY
GENERAL MEETING
An extraordinary meeting shall be sermon by the president on the
decision of the executive at the written and signs request of not less than one
third of the voting members giving at least 15 days notice and specify the
nature of the business to be transacted.
d)QUORUM
The quorum at the AGM shall be forty
per cent of the general membership.
ARTICLE 5
EXECUTIVE
I)
The
executive members shall be responsible for the day-day administration and
direction of the of the Association’s activities.
II)
All
executive members shall be registered as full members.
III)
Synchronize
the activities of the Association.
IV)
With
regards to the president, he or she must be a creative, discipline, have
self-esteem and be ready to work with a team.
V)
The
executive should not be concentrated in one media house, a maximum of three.
VI)
Meaning
no branches. And shall comprise of the following portfolios:
a)
President
b)
1st Vice President
c)
2nd
Vice President
d)
Secretary General
e)
Assistant Secretary General
f)
Treasurer
g)
Auditor
h)
Public Relations Officer (PRO)
i)
2
Co-opted members, (1 of whom must be a female)
FUNCTIONS
OF THE EXECUTIVE
THE PRESIDENT
i)
Shall
chair all executive and general meetings and also the congress, which shall be
held in every two years.
ii)
He/she
shall supervise the activities of the Association.
iii)
He/she
shall be the liaison officer between the Association and external partners and
shall report back to the executive body.
iv)
He/she
shall be a signatory to the account of the Association.
FIRST
VICE PRESIDENT
i)
He/she
shall act in the absence of the president.
ii)
Assist
the president in the execution of his or her duties.
iii)
Shall
execute responsibilities delegated to him/her by the president.
iv)
Shall
be a signatory to the Association’s account in the absence of the president.
SECRETARY
GENERAL
i)
He/she
shall take the minutes of all executive, general body and congress meetings.
ii)
Shall
keep records of the Association’s activities.
iii)
He/she
shall prepare and read out the activity report of the Association quarterly,
annually, biannually and during congress.
iv)
Shall
take attendance at all meetings.
v)
He/she
shall be responsible for writing letters to inform all congress parties for
meetings and other letters to facilitate the activities of the Association.
vi)
Shall
be responsible for all correspondence in collaboration with the president.
vii)
Shall
liaise with the president on matters of the agenda for each meeting.
viii)
Shall
be responsible for preparing membership ID cards.
ASSISTANT
SECRETARY GENERAL
i)
He or
she shall act in the place of the secretary general when absent.
ii)
Shall
help the secretary general in the execution of his/her duties.
iii)
He or
she carry out any other secretarial duties delegated to him by the secretary
general.
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
(PRO)
He or she shall serve as the official spokesperson of the Association.
i)
Shall
be responsible for both internal and external communication on directives from
the president.
ii)
Shall
recognise crucial matters and keep the members inform about the matters/events
of the Association either verbally or through media/press.
iii)
He or
she shall inform members about meetings date, place, time and any other social
events of the Association.
TREASURER
i)
He or
she collects dues and contributions from both members and non-members.
ii)
Shall
keep the petty cash of the Association
iii)
Shall
be a signatory to the Association’s account.
AUDITOR
i)
He or
she shall audit all the finances of the Association,
ii)
Shall
be responsible for writing audit report.
iii)
He or she
shall brief the executive from time to time on the financial status of the Association.
TWO ELECTED MEMBERS
i)
They
shall act in the position of any executive member unavailable.
ii)
Shall
carry out any responsibility delegated to them by any member of the executive.
TERM OF OFFICE
i)
Executive
members shall serve a three-year term. Renewable for not more than two
consecutive terms.
ARTICLE 6
INCOME / FINANCE
i)
Monies
belonging to the Association shall be kept in a current account and the
Treasurer, Secretary General and President shall be signatories to the account.
ii)
Individuals
wishing to register as full members shall purchase an ID card at D50 only.
iii)
Associations
in the country shall pay an enrolment fee of D100 only and those from abroad
$100 or equivalent.
iv)
Individuals
shall make an annual contribution of D120 to be paid at least before January
ending.
v)
The
resources of the Association shall compose of the contribution by members.
vi)
Donations
from well-wishers without any ulterior motive.
vii)
Grants
from CSO and NGOs in and outside the country.
viii)
Fundraising
ventures to be initiated example, Kora shows.
ix)
Any
withdrawal exceeding D1000 must be approved by at least 1/3 of the Executive.
x)
Participants
at any workshop organised by YJAG shall give back 10 per cent of their
allowance to the Association.
xi)
Any
member found misusing the funds of the Association shall face the due process
of the law without any compromise.
ARTICLE 7
CHAPTER 1
AMENDMENT
i)
A
section of this constitution can only be amended by forty per cent of the
general membership.
CHAPTER 2
AFFILIATIONS
j)
The Association
shall seek and approved affiliation with sister Associations in and outside the
country.
k)
Shall
be affiliated to The Gambia Press Union (GPU)
ARTICLE 9
VOTING
i)
All
registered members shall have one vote in all elections.
ii)
Full
members who owe a single Dalasi to the Association shall not vote unless all
dues are settled.
iii)
Associate
member(s) shall have only one vote for their Association.
iv)
Honorary
members shall have no voting rights but can also observe election process, to
ensure it’s free and fairness.
ARTICLE 10
BY LAWS
i)
Presidency
being the highest position in the Association, the holder must have an
experience in administration, sharp and vocal.
ii)
The Association
shall not at any given time be Associated or involved into the political
affairs of the country.
iii)
The
President and PRO must both have at least two years experience in active
journalism.
iv)
The Association
shall not enter into any transaction with any individual or institution, which
may undermine its mission and vision.
v)
Not in
any circumstance should an individual executive member act on behalf of the Association
without the consent of the majority of the executive.
vi)
Removal:
An executive can be removed from office when found misusing the Association’s
funds and abuse of office.
vii)
Absenteeism
for three (3) consecutive meetings without any given reason would be paid for
D100.
ARTICLE 11
CONGRESS
i)
Congress
shall be the general Assembly of the entire membership and it shall be held in
every two years to review the activities, elect executive and where necessary
adopt a plan of action.
ii)
The
venue and time shall be determined by the executive giving at least 30 days
notice to the general membership.
iii)
The
congress shall be the highest authority in the Association and can remove from
office any one deem unproductive or inefficient.
iv)
Decisions
taken by the congress can only be amended by the congress
ARTICLE 12
DISSOLUTION
In the event that
the Association is to be dissolved, the resources shall be shared among all
registered members who didn’t owe a dalasi to the Association. Otherwise be
given to the GPU the umbrella body of all media practitioners in the country.
This of course must be approved by a two third of the general membership.
Sign ……………..
THE END
· Amended 21 Sept., 2013 at GPU Secretariat,
Fajara
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