DE SAINTS

Constitution

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PREAMBLE

In the name of the Almighty God

We the youth of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in our inalienable right establish an
Association to help deepen our Catholic faith and to take advantage of business
opportunities in Ghana to secure our future, do hereby put forward this constitution.

We do hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this constitution.

ARTICLE 1
NAME
The Association shall be known and called De Saints and in this constitution referred to as the
ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE 2
AIMS
THE AIMS OF THE ASSOCIATON SHALL BE:
2.1

To seek

2.2

To act as the official medium in all forms of correspondence between

members and any entity.

2.3

To initiate programmes that would seek to promote the spiritual,

social and material development of its members.

2.4

To organize social activities that would create a forum for members to

interact informally as a means of promoting unity among members.

ARTICLE 3
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MEMBERSHIP
3.1

Membership shall be open to all practicing Roman Catholics aged 18 years and over
at the time of their application and of sound mind and body.

3.2

Membership is voluntary and an aspiring member will be required to declare

his/her intention by filling a membership form.

3.3

Active Membership

a) Defined as a member who has paid their dues and attends meeting as and
when the need arises.
b) Only active members can vote in any decision affecting the management
or finances of the association, and any constitutional ratification of De
Saints Constitution.

ARTICLE 4
DUES
4.1

Every member of the Association shall pay monthly welfare dues, these dues shall be
used to run the affairs of the Association.

4.2

As and when it becomes necessary levies shall be imposed on members to meet

emergencies to defray unforeseen outlays with approval of the entire membership.

4.3

Voluntary contributions and donations will also be received and accounted for by the
finance team.

4.4

Only members, who have paid their dues up to date, shall be entitled to all benefits
and rights of the Association.

ARTICLE 5
OFFICERS
5.1

ELECTIVE OFFICERS:
This shall comprise the following:
a) President
b) Secretary
c) Financial Secretary

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5.1.1 Chaplain
A Chaplain shall be appointed for the Association by the two-thirds of members in
good standing.
5.1.2 Eligibility of Office
No member shall be eligible for office, unless he / she is in good financial standing
and has been a member of the Association for at least six months.
5.1.3 Term of Office
A. The term of office for elected officers shall be two calendar years.
B. Any member who has faithfully and satisfactorily served his term of office may be
re-elected to a further term of office.
C. No officer shall hold the same office for more than two terms.
ARTICLE 6
DUTIES OF THE Officers
6.1

PRESIDENT
The President shall:
a. Convene and preside over all meetings and direct the affairs of the Association.
b. Be the official spokesperson of the Association. He may direct or authorize any
other officer to act on his behalf.
c. The President shall have a casting vote when there is a deadlock in any matter

6.2

SECRETARY
The Secretary shall:
a) Take minutes and records of all meetings, functions and events of the Association.
b) Handle all correspondence and convene meetings on the direction of the President.
c) Read minutes at meetings to enable members insert any omissions or make
corrections where necessary.

6.3

FINANCIAL SECRETARY
The Financial Secretary shall:

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a) Prepare semi-annual accounts and present them before the Executive Officers
within one month from the end of the immediate half-year.
b) Keep proper books of accounts of all financial transactions of the Association.
c) Prepare and present annual audited accounts of the Association to members at a
general meeting for acceptance and approval.
Article 7
7.1

Standing committee
a) Welfare
b) Entertainment
c) Investment / Benefit Committee

7.2

DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
The disciplinary committee shall be made up of the following

a) Vice President (Chairperson)

b) Secretary
c) Two Floor Members
7.3
Duties of the standing Committee
The Standing Committees:
a) Shall assist the Executives to carry out the policies and plans of the Association.
b) Shall have its activities and programmes authorized by the Executives and twothirds of members in good standing.
c) Shall have it is members answerable to the Executives and members.
ARTICLE 8
REMOVAL FROM OFFICE/IMPEACHMENT
Any Executive and Committee member shall be removed from office any act of
misconduct as specified in this article.
8.1 Gross inefficiency in the performance of duties.
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8.2 Any activity that may cause the Association financial loss or
embarrassment.
83 If he/she is found to have embezzled, misappropriated or in any way
fraudulently dealt with the Associations resources.
8.4 Improper conduct that would bring his/her office or the Association
into disrepute, ridicule or contempt.
8.5 Physical or mental disability rendering him/her incapable of performing
his/her functions.
8.6 A vote of no confidence shall be passed by two-thirds of the members of
the Association to impeach/remove a member.
8.7

Any Executive member shall be removed from office at a special general

meeting attended by 50% of registered members. The removal shall be by simple
majority.

ARTICLE 9
BENEFITS
The figures may be revised by the Central Committee as and when necessary taking
into considerations the prevailing economic conditions.
9.1

BEREAVEMENT
a) Death of member

GHS.00

b) Death of spouse

GHS.00

c) Death of child -

GHS..00

d) Death of Parents

GHS..00

9.2 MARRIAGE
Wedding/Engagement/Traditional Marriage

- GHS...00

9.3 BIRTHS

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Outdooring /Naming Ceremony

- GHS....00

9.4 SICKNESS
The Welfare Committee shall visit any member hospitalized for more than two
months and where appropriate present him/her with gifts to help in his/her
recovery.
ARTICLE 10
MEETINGS
10.1

Meetings shall be presided over by the President. In his absence the Secretary will
chair meetings.

10.2 EXECUTIVE MEETINGS:

The Executive shall meet regularly to prepare the agenda for:
a) Emergency Meetings.
b) General Meetings.
10.3 GENERAL MEETINGS
General meetings shall be held once every quarter (i.e. 3 months) of the year.
10.4 EMERGENCY MEETING
a) The Executive shall call an emergency general meeting when the need arises.

b) The President shall call an emergency meeting.

ARTICLE 11
QUORUM
11.1 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
A meeting of the Executive Officers shall not be deemed to be properly constituted
unless at least three (3) members are present. This shall include the President, the
Secretary financial secretary.
11.2 GENERAL MEETINGS
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A general meeting shall have (0) of registered members to form a quorum.

11.3 EMERGENCY MEETINGS
An emergency meeting shall form a quorum when . (0) of its registered members
are present.

ARTICLE 12
BANKING
a) The funds of the Association shall be deposited in reputable financial institution
approved by the members of the Association and the documents connected
therewith shall be kept by the financial secretary.
b) All monies received by the financial secretary shall be deposited in the bank within
three days after receipt.
c) At every regular meeting, the financial secretary shall furnish details of all receipts
of all receipts, payments and bank balances.
d) The president, Secretary and financial secretary shall be signatories to the bank
account
ARTICLE 13
INVESTMENTS
The Investment / Benefits Committee in consultation with the Executives shall invest any
available surplus funds.
ARTICLE 14
DISCIPLINE
14.1

A member who misbehaves at meetings and any other gathering of the Association
may be fined or suspended depending on the enormity of the offence.

14.2 A Disciplinary Committee shall be formed to handle cases of

indiscipline as and when necessary.
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ARTICLE 15
LEGAL REPRESENTATION
The Association shall seek Legal Assistance as and when necessary.

ARTICLE 16
ADOPTION
This Constitution shall take effect immediately two-thirds of members in good
standing adopt the provisions therein.
ARTICLE 17
AMENDMENTS
This constitution shall not be nullified or amended except at a general meeting with
a majority ruling of two-thirds of the members assembled. A reasonable period notice
shall be given to a motion for such amendment.

Dated this th Day of . 2013

Singed
Albert Antwi-Amoah
President

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