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GLOBAL CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE We, the representatives of a sector of people who left Noting that a democratic order in strategists to meet the challenges of
the future Realizing that the challenges of independent coalition of Diaspora
organizations Accepting that we are united in our
purpose to help build a new socio-economic and political dispensation in Acknowledging that
our diversity unites us Mandated by our
respective organizations, institutions, regions and members Hereby resolve: a.
To establish a united global forum for all Zimbabweans civic
society organisations and individuals whose main purpose will be to create
and maintain an enabling climate for promoting people-centered participatory
development, influencing national and international policy development and
promoting vibrant democracy in Zimbabwe b.
To adopt the following document guiding the affairs of the
global forum and setting aside all other previous Memorandums,
Constitutions and Regulations. 1.
NAME The name of the organization shall be the Global Zimbabwe
Forum hereinafter referred to as
“Global Zimbabwe”. 2.
NATURE OF THE
ORGANIZATION The organization will be a
coalition of Diaspora-based Zimbabwean civil society organizations,
individuals and institutions of development operating as an association
not-for-gain and under the Non-Profit Organizations Act and under any other
future organizational or tax status legislation of the 3.
LEGAL STATUS The forum shall be a body
corporate with a personality of its own, separate from its members, without
derogating from the generality thereof, Global Zimbabwe shall have the
following capacities: a.
To acquire rights and obligations in its own name b.
To enter into legal transactions and commercial traffics c.
To acquire and dispose of movable and immovable property d.
To sue and be sued in its own name e.
To have perpetual succession 4.
AIMS AND
OBJECTIVES The objectives of the Global Zimbabwe are as follows: a)
To mobilize resources globally to support Diaspora
Development Chamber, set up to tackle poverty among Zimbabweans. b)
To work towards creating an enabling environment by
influencing the legislative framework in which development may thrive. c)
To identify development priorities and seek to influence
donors, grant-makers, organized business and other stakeholders to support
the Chamber’s development agenda, training programs and scholarships. d)
To promote community participation in the
conceptualization, implementation and evaluation of the reconstruction of Zimbabwean. e)
To conceptualize and implement advocacy programmes aimed at
lobbying for policies which advance the interests of marginalized (e.g. the
poor, women and rural) members of our Zimbabwean society. f)
To initiate discussion and stimulate debate amongst member
organizations on strategic issues affecting the Zimbabwean people. g)
To assist member organizations to identify and address
opportunities and threats in the socio-economic environment, which may
advance or constrain the work of their respective organizations. h)
To promote cross-border networking and cross-pollination of
information, knowledge and development experience in i)
To strengthen and promote developmental leadership by
sponsoring management and leadership development programmes. j)
To promote collaboration amongst civil society
organisations working in the same programme area, national and international
sector. k)
To affiliate to international, Zimbabwean, Southern
African, African and international structures which influence socio-economic
policies. l)
To collaborate on a principled basis through written
agreements with other organs (for
example, business chambers, organized labour and faith-based organizations)
in building a strong international forum. 5.
MEMBERSHIP 5.1. Full membership 5.1.1 Any lawfully registered national or
regional coalition of Diaspora-based Zimbabwean Civic
Society Organisations or public body which subscribes to the aims and
objectives, and pledges adherence to the Code of Ethics shall be entitled to become
a full member of Global Zimbabwe by joining the it and fulfilling its
obligations commensurate with such membership.
5.1.2
Public forums operating under their own constitutions. 5.1.3
Rights and obligations of full members a. Full
members of Global Zimbabwe shall be entitled to elect their international
public representatives to the international structures of Global Zimbabwe. b.
Through their elected
representatives full members shall have access to the business of the Global
Zimbabwe. Member organizations shall
be entitled to direct participation in the business of the Global Zimbabwe.
Member organizations shall observe the Code of Ethics of the Global Zimbabwe.
Member organizations shall be obliged to meet all financial and other
obligations as shall be determined from time to time by Global Zimbabwe or any of its competent
organs. 5.2
Associate
Membership Associate membership shall be
available to: 5.2.1 Any Diaspora-based Zimbabwean Civil Society
Organization’s
coalitions that are not yet fully registered in terms of the
relevant laws. 5.2.2 Any non-Zimbabwean organization that
undertakes programme work
in solidarity with the pro-democracy movements of Zimbabweans. 5.2.3 Any Zimbabwean Civil Society Organization
that prefers not to, or is unwilling or unable to
take up full membership 5.2.4
5.2.5 Rights and obligations of
associate members a, Associate members shall be entitled to
attend meetings and participate
in all structures of Global Zimbabwe provided that they shall not have
the right to vote. b, Employees of associate member
organizations, be they citizens of the of the
structures of the forum. c, Associate members shall be obliged to
meet a financial and any other
obligations as the Global Zimbabwe or any of its designated organs
shall from time to time
determine. 5.3
Application for Membership
5.3.1 Application for
membership of Global Zimbabwe shall be in writing, and my be required to fill in an application form, providing their full details. Applicants expressly agree for their inclusion into the Diaspora database. 5.3.2 Each
application for membership shall be accompanied by an application fee as is
agreed upon by the members in general meeting from time to time. 5.3.3, The Chamber may
refuse or decline an application for membership without
giving reasons. In the event of the
application for membership
being refused the entrance fees shall be refunded to the applicant. 5.3.4, An applicant so declined may appeal in
writing directed to the
chairperson of the board of Global Zimbabwe motivating why the
application should not be so declined. The subsequent decision of
the board is final and may or may not provide explanation. 5.4
Termination or Loss of Membership 5.4.1 A member organization of Global Zimbabwe
shall cease to be a member by resignation
by giving notice to that effect, in writing, at least one month prior to the effective date of the
intended resignation. 5.4.2 A member organization shall also cease to
be a member if its membership
is terminated for misconduct, failure to adhere to the Code of
Ethics or for bringing the name of Global Zimbabwe into disrepute. 5.4.3 A member against which a charge of
misconduct is laid shall be
entitled to a fair hearing, provided that its membership shall be
suspended for the duration of the investigation and the impending
inquiry. 5.4.4 Membership of any organization indebted to
the Global Zimbabwe for membership fee or any
other financial obligation shall automatically lapse if the
organization in question fails to meet such obligation notwithstanding a
reminder giving such organization no more than 30 days to fulfill the
obligation. The onus is the member
organization to ensure that the
membership fee is duly received and a receipt issued to prove so.
5,4.5 The Chamber may
terminate or expel a member or group of members without giving reasons,
provided that the expulsion has been approved by the board by
simple resolution and is duly recorded in the minutes. 5.4.6, No member who has been expelled, shall be
readmitted without prior approval of
the board of directors. 5.4.7 A members who is expelled is refunded the
joining fee only. In the event of
withdrawal the joining fee is not refunded. 6. AUTONOMY OF MEMBERS Members will remain autonomous organizations governed by their
own constitutions, registrations, policies and procedures. Members will not be able to create any financial
obligations for Global Zimbabwe.
Members shall abide by the Constitution, policies, resolutions and
programmes of Global Zimbabwe. 7.
ORGANS OF
GLOBAL 7.1.
General
Council (GC) Global The terms of the representatives shall be 2
(two) years. 7.1.2 Composition of the General Council (a) The General Council shall consist of
10(Ten) representatives elected or
drawn from each of the regions as follows : EU
central SADC
(outside Regions are accorded
national status.
(b) The Secretariat of Global
Zimbabwe in attendance with speaking
rights but no voting rights. (c) The representatives shall be elected by
civil society national structures in the six(6)
regions. If no national structure exists or is still under development the
regions should send delegates to the global conference or AGM where upon
whom an election shall be conducted among themselves by
the by the delegates to the conference or members at the AGM. (d) Representatives of political parties
shall not be members of the GC. A
member of the GC, who takes office in a political party shall cease to
be a member of general council from the day of acceptance of the
political position. A vacancy
created by such member shall be a casual
vacancy which may be filled by a co-opted member until the next
general meeting or global conference. 7.1.3.
Purpose, Powers and Duties of the General Council The
GC shall decide general and specific policy measures by means of
simple majority vote. Decisions
of the General Council shall be to
further the aims and objectives of the Global Zimbabwe and the
broader masses in general, and to hold the institution in good stead. a.
The GC will further consider and decide on: a.1. The business of the Global Zimbabwe and
its priorities a.2. Reports from the National regional organs a.3. Report from the Coordinator of the Global
Zimbabwe a.4. Financial reports including audited
financial statements a.5. The nomination and election of the Global
Zimbabwe office bearers a.6. Any amendments of the Global Zimbabwe
Constitution a.7. The adoption of new resolutions and
amendment of any policy matter or document a.8. Any other matter which may be deemed to be
in the interest of the Global Zimbabwe, its members, the development needs of
the country or any other issue of general or international importance. b) Memberships
c.1 Deciding on accepting new members as reported by the Secretariat and setting membership fees c.2 Setting employment conditions and
confirming the appointments and dismissal of all staff of the GC, including
the Co-ordinator. c.3 Determining
the budgets for the GC, approving the expenditure, determining projects and
funding of such projects and activities of the GC.
c, Considering and
approving the audited financial statements of the Global
d, Setting all
organizational policies and procedures and also make resolutions
for the efficient and effective functioning of the Global
e, Establishing relations
with Zimbabwe Diaspora Development Chamber,
task groups in determining broad policy. 7.1.4.
Meetings of the General Council 7.1.4.
Ordinary meetings of the GC
a. The GC will ordinarily meet
at least every quarter of the year and at
the Annual General Meeting(AGM) or global
conference.
b. The documentation and
resolutions for the AGM will be
circulated at least four weeks (28 days) prior to the actual meeting
date by the Secretariat. 7.1.5. Special Meetings of the GC
a. The Chairperson may
convene a special meeting of the GC
giving 10 days written notice and an
agenda if:
a.1 The GC has urgent matters
to decide. a.2
Fifty percent of the GC members in good standing,
submit a written request for
such a meeting, indicating
the purpose of such a meeting. b, Should the Chairperson fail to
call such a special
meeting, then any GC member is empowered to
nominate a Convenor for the meeting who should
provide 28 days written notice of the meeting and
an agenda. 7.1.7.
Quorum a.
The quorum for the GC shall be at least four of the
regional representatives, provided that the quorum for an AGM shall be half
of its members. b.
If after an hour of the time fixed for the meeting, a
quorum is not present, the meeting will stand adjourned to a time and place
decided upon by the Chairman of the General Council. c. The quorum for an adjourned meeting
will be those illegible members present in person or by proxy. 7.1.8. Election of Office Bearers The GC will elect the
following out of caucus of 10 regional
representatives: a.
The Chairperson |
