BYE LAWS OF FRIENDS OF YARIDA ASSOCIATION THE GAMBIA
SECTION ONE: OVERVIEW
1) Friends of Yarida association are a non-governmental organisation, which came into being in 2005.
2) It is voluntary association formed to satisfy the needs and reach the goals that are common to all it members and not contrary to the constitution and laws of the Republic of The Gambia.
3) The association shall be called Friends of Yarida Association (F.O.Y.A) with its own symbol and stamp with its name and a bank account number.
4) The association is a non-profit making organisation and the activities of the organisation is on limited in time.
SECTION TWO: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of friends of Yarida association The Gambia are:
1) Provision of nursery and primary school in the needy communities
2) Provision of early childhood eduction in the needy communities
3) To promote education especially for the girl child and also the health care delivery system
4) To create sponsorship for deserving students whose parents’ income cannot meet the financial cost for their education
5) To improve the quality of life of the people, their socio-economic welfare in a lawful manner and consequently enhance the income capacity by engaging them in small scale businessses
6) To encourage tourist services providers to legalize their business in the country.In addition, submit suggestions to central Government and other institutions on development projects especially tourism
7) To make education and Health services available, accessible and affordable at community level by providing them with First Aid boxes
8) To forge and foster links with, relevant development agencies(Government/NGOS) for mutual financial/technical assistance and cooperation
SECTION THREE: MEMBERSHIP
Since the organisation is voluntary therefore any one can apply for membership provided that he or she accepts the aims and objectives or terms and conditions of the association. In addition, the following conditions for membership may also apply.
1) That every member endeavors to up hold and promote the objectives of the association as well as pay membership due
2) The membership and membership rights are not transferable
3) That the association keeps a register containing the names and addresses of all the members together with such particulars as may be required or prescribed by the executives
4) As a member of the association, you should be actively involved in all the activities of the organisation
5) Respect, comply and abide by the rules and regulation of the associaition
SECTION FOUR:TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the organisation can be terminated by the general body upon the recommendation of the executive committee if
1) A member fails to pay his or she subscription for a period to be determine by the executive
2) In the opinion of the executive, the member's conduct is inconsistent which the principles for which the association was established
3) Failure to attend meetings for a period be determined by the executive committee without offering satisfactory explanation
4) Any member who ceased to be a member shall be obliged to pay all his or her liabilities to the association as agreed. Failure to do so could result in legal action
5) Any member can voluntary withdraw from the organisation by notifying the association about it in writing
6) A member who withdraws voluntarily or is dismissed from the organisation do not get back their entrance and membership fees nor any funds or property that was transferred to the organisation (except in cases where funds were borrowed)
7) If any member fails to pay his or her dues as laid down by the general meeting, it is considered to forfeit his or her right to membership.
SECTION FIVE: POWER
The supreme authority of the association shall be vested in the hands of the general body and subject to that authority, the general body should govern the association.
SECTION SIX: GENERAL MEETING
1) The general meetings of the association shall be held at such a time as may be determined by the members of the general body. A general meeting shall be held at least twice yearly at such a time and place as shall be determined by the executive committee.
2) Every member should have the right to vote and be voted for by the general body
3) The chairperson of the executives committee shall chair all general meetings. In the absence of the chairperson, his or her assistance shall assume the chair
4) Where an emergency meeting is requested by ONE THIRD of the general membership, the executive committee shall have no option but to convene the meeting within seven days
SECTION SEVEN:VOTING IN THE GENERAL MEETING
Voting in the general meeting shall be by show of hands and simply majority shall resolve all matters discussed at the general meeting in the case of a tie( equal votes from each side) the chair person of the general meeting shall have deliberative casting vote
SECTION EIGHT:QUORUM
1) The quorum for the general meeting shall be more than one half of the members of the association
2) The quorum for the executives shall be TWO THIRDs of the executive committee membership
3) The decisions taken by any meeting held without the quorum, shall be considered null and void (i.e. no effect)
4) The quorum for emergency meetings shall be ONE HALF of the general membership
SECTION NINE: GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1) The general assembly shall have the power to retain or remove any officer by a vote of TWO Thirds of the members of the association at an emergency general meeting for that purpose.
2) Such a meeting should be convened within one week on the receipt of a petition to that effect signed by at least TWO Thirds of the members of the association. Decision to be reached by a simple majority.
3) In the event of total dissolution of executive committee, the responsibility of running the association shall be in the hands of arbitration committee who must ensure the new executive committee is elected within a period to be determined.
SECTION TEN: ADMINISTRATION AND FUNCTIONS OF OFFICER
Candidates for various positions of responsibility within the association must give proof of their enthusiasm, dedication, capacity for work respect for all members of the organisation and above all a high sense of responsibility and commitment. Voting to fill position shall be by ballot at the annual general meeting.
SECTION ELEVEN: Executive committee
1) The executive committee shall be the executive arm of Friends Of Yarida Association. It shall report to the general body through the chairperson
2) The executive of the association shall comprise the following officers
a) President ( Chair person)
b) Vice president ( Vice chair person)
c) Treasurer
d) Secretary general
e) Assistance secretary general
f) Auditor
g) Advisers
3) Decisions reached at executive committee meetings shall be binding on all members of the association
4) The executive committee shall hold at least four meeting annually and may hold other emergency meetings as may be required at any time by the chair person or by members of executive committees. A notice of seven days shall be given including matters to be discussed
5) There shall be quorum only when TWO THIRD of the members are present at such meetings
6) Any resolution of the executive committee may be withdrawn or amended from time to time by the committee subject to the approval of the general body
7) At EC meetings, decision shall be determined by consensus where possible or by simple majority present and voting on the issue or matters. Incase of equality of votes the chair person of the meeting shall have the casting vote.
SECTION TWELVE: FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1) To manage the day to day affairs of the association
2) To enforce the constitution and by laws of the association
3) To carry out the policy and programs of the association as laid down by the general body
4) To initiate and undertake all such activities that may further the aims and the objective of the association
5) To deal with all matters affecting the interest and the welfare of the association
6) To mobilize resources through fund raising activities
7) To give instruction to all members of the association
8) To promote and advocate for quality education as well as health care services
SECTION THIRTEEN: CHAIR PERSON OR PRESIDENT
1) The chairperson is member of the executive committee and shall be responsible for convening meetings ( both general and executive)
2) He or she will represent the association and shall be responsible for the administration of the association
3) He or she shall be responsible to make contract and sign other document on behalf of the organization, and should act on behalf of the organization and represent it within the limit of his or her mandate
4) The chair person shall represent the organization in arbitration, courts and other governmental institutions to transfer these functions to another member of the association or other person
5) He or she shall be responsible for opening and closing of bank account on behalf of the organization
6) He or She could employ and dismiss any one to and from their positions if agreeded upon by the general body
SECTION FOURTEEN: SECRETARY GENERAL
The secretary general of the association shall responsible for:
1) All correspondence recording and keeping of minutes of both executive and the general meeting of the association
2) Drafting the agenda and notice of all such meeting and other programs connected
3) Shall give annual status and performance report of the association to the general body
4) Give feedbacks of programs and review of meetings
SECTION FIFTEEN: TREASURER/ CASHIER
1) the treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of subscription and save keeping of funds of the association
2) Shall ensure that all cash income of the association is deposited in the bank and submit regular report on the financial status of the association
3) Keep cashbook or ledger in which financial transaction and properties of the association shall be recorded
SECTION SIXTEEN: AUDITOR
The auditor general of the association shall be responsible for regular checking on quarterly basis, books and records kept by the treasurer and report his or her findings to the executive committee. A complete statement of account shall be submitted to the association or as may be required by the general body.
SECTION SEVENTEEN: MINUTES
Minutes of the proceeding of any meeting of the association and of every meeting of the executive committee shall be recorded read before the subsequent meeting and sign by the chairperson of such meeting. Such minutes when recorded and sign shall be received as evidence of such proceedings without further proof in all meeting and proceedings of the association
SECTION EIGHTEEN: SIGNATORIES TO THE BANK ACCOUNT
Funds of the association shall be generated from internal contribution, funds from donor agencies, local council and loans. All such funds shall be deposited in a bank account. The signatories to the association bank account shall be the president, secretary and two others trustees any two of the four signatories could sign the cheques at any moment.
SECTION NINETEEN: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
1) All amendment to the constitution shall be subject to the approval of at least TWO THIRD majority vote of members present at any general meeting of the association.
2) No resolution or motion for the alteration or amendment of the constitution shall be discuss at general meeting unless notice of the proposed resolution or motion stating the nature of the alteration is submitted to the secretary not less than seven days before the date of the general meeting
SECTION TWENTY: DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION
1) The association shall only be dissolve if TWO Thirds of the members file a motion of dissolution which shall be brought before a general meeting called for that purpose. Within 30 days of the receipt of the motion by the chairperson and provided THREE Quarters of the group membership vote in favour of dissolution, the decision shall be implemented.
2) In the event of the association being dissolved as provided above all debts and liabilities must be honoured.
3) Where the existing assets cannot meet the liabilities at the time of dissolution all members shall remain liable to settle such liability
4) The members of the association and other acting officers of the organization in relation to any affairs of the association and their respective executive administrators shall be indemnified against any liabilities incurred in the discharge of their duties | 
