Constitution

1. ANIMALS HAVE RIGHTS 2

1.1 The organisation hereby constituted will be called Animals Have Rights 2.

1.2 Its shortened name will be AHR2. Herein referred to as the organisation.

2. BODY CORPORATE

The organisation shall:

• Exist in its own right, separately from its members.
• Continue to exist even when its membership changes and there are different office bearers.
• Be able to own property and other possessions.
• Be able to sue and be sued in its own name.

3. OBJECTIVES

(a) The Organisation’s Main Objectives include but are not limited to:

• EDUCATION – create animal awareness and their care through education programmes at school level.
• BURSARY - fund education primarily of aspiring veterinary candidates within the less privileged communities.
• AWARENESS & EDUCATION PROGRAMMES - through hands on introduction to Animals in order to dispel myths and potential irrational fears.
• STERILISATION - for all animals
• SUPPORT - ensuring necessary medication is received and assistance with veterinary bills, etc. For small, independent, self-funded groups.
• MOBILE CLINICS – self-sufficient mobile units offering veterinary assistance far and wide.
• RESCUE - assist with rescuing and re-homing animals in need whenever possible.

(b) The Organisation’s Secondary Objectives will include but are not limited to:

Work in collaboration with other Organisations that deal with:

• STERILISATION PROGRAMMES - assisting current organisations which specialize in sterilisation programmes.
• OUTREACH PROGRAMMES - assisting current organisations which specialize in programmes within underprivileged communities.

4. GOVERNING STRUCTURE & MECHANISM OF GOVERNANCE

4.1 The Office Bearers will oversee the Organisation. The Office Bearers will be made up of no less than 5 members. They are the board of governance of the Organisation.

4.2 Term of office: Office Bearers will serve for a period of 3 years which has been agreed to by the general membership at an AGM and which shall not exceed 3 years. They can, However, stand for re-election for another term in office again and again after that, for so long as their services are needed and they are ready to give their services.

4.3 Vacancies: the office bearers must, as soon as reasonably possible, appoint someone to fill any vacancy that reduced the number of Office Bearers.

4.4 Resignation: An Office Bearer may resign from office in writing.

4.5 Disqualification or Removal: If an Office Bearer does not attend three meetings in a row, without having applied for and obtaining leave of absence from the Board, the Board will find a new member to take that person’s place.

5. POWERS OF THE ORGANISATION

5.1 The Board will carry out the powers on behalf of the organisation and they shall manage the affairs of the organisation in accordance with the resolutions of the members as shall be taken from time to time at General Meetings of the Organisation.

5.2 The Board is responsible for making decisions, and acting on such decisions, which it needs to make in order to achieve the objectives of the organisation as stated in point number 2 of this constitution. However, such decisions and their activities may not be against the resolutions of the members or be against the law of the Republic of South Africa.

5.3 The Board shall have the general powers and authority to:

• 5.3.1 Raise funds or to invite and receive contributions.

• 5.3.2 Buy, hire or exchange for any property that it needs to achieve its objectives.

• 5.3.3 Make by-laws for proper governance and management of the Organisation.

• 5.3.4 Form sub-committees as and when it is necessary for proper functioning of the Organisation.

5.4 If the Board thinks it is necessary, then it can decide to set up one or more sub-committees. It may decide to do this to get some work done quickly. Or it may want a sub-committee to do an inquiry, for example.

5.5 The Board may delegate any of its powers or functions to a sub-committee providing that:

• 5.5.1 such delegation and conditions are reflected in the minutes for a meeting.

• 5.5.2 at least one Office Bearer serves in the sub-committee.

• 5.5.3 there are 3 or more people on the sub-committee.

• 5.5.4 the sub-committee must regularly report back to the Board on its activities.

5.6 The Board must in advance approve all expenditure incurred by the sub-committee, and may revoke the delegation or amend the conditions of the delegation

6. MEETINGS

6.1 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

6.1.1 Stakeholders of the Organisation must attend it annual general meetings (AGM).

6.1.2 The purpose of an AGM is to:

• Report back to stakeholders from the Office Bearers on the achievement and work over the year.
• Make any changes to the Constitution.
• Enable members to decide on the policies of the Constitution.

6.1.3 The AGM must be held once every year, towards the end of the Organisation’s financial year.

6.1.4 The Organisation should deal with the following business, amongst others, at its AGM:

• Agree to the items to be discussed on the Agenda.
• Write down who is there and who has sent apologies because they cannot attend.
• Read and confirm the previous meeting’s minutes with matters arising.
• Chairperson’s report.
• Treasurer’s report.
• Changes to the Constitution that members may want to make.
• Elect new Office Bearers.
• General.
• Close the meeting.

6.2 SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

• 6.2.1 The Special General Meeting (SGM) or any other special meeting is held outside of the normal or regular meetings.

• 6.2.2 Special or extraordinary can take the shape of an AGM or any ordinary meeting of members.

• 6.2.3 The Board or not less than one-third of the members may call a SGM of the Organisation.

• 6.2.4 Special meetings may be called when the Board needs the mandate or guidance of the general members of the Organisation to take up issues that require urgent attention and cannot wait until the next AGM or ordinary meeting.

6.3 ORDINARY MEETINGS

6.3.1 Ordinary meetings are conducted to complete a standard order of business of the Organisation. These are held once a quarter and are attended by the Board.

6.3.2 The meetings of the Board will be held once a quarter or when a need arises from time to time to conduct the business of the Board.

6.4 NOTICES OF MEETINGS

• 6.4.1 The Chairperson of the Board shall convene meetings. The Secretary must let all the Board Members know the date within a reasonable time, but not less than 7 days, before it is due to take place.

• 6.4.2 However, when convening an AGM, or a SGM, all members of the Organisation must be informed of the meeting no less than 14 days before such a meeting.

• 6.4.3 Notices for all meetings provided for in this Constitution must be given to relevant members in writing, either personally, by post or electronic communication or whichever manner is convenient, to the address or other similar particulars provided by the members.

• 6.4.4 The notices of all meetings must indicate the reasons for the meeting and the matters that will be discussed in the meeting.

• 6.4.5 For confirmation of delivery, All notices sent to members at the latest known contact details shall be deemed to have been duly served on members, unless it can be proved otherwise.

• 6.4.6 All members present in any meeting shall be deemed to have received notice of such meeting.

6.5 QUORUMS

• 6.5.1 Quorums for all meetings of the Organisation shall be a simple majority, i.e. 50% +1 of relevant members who are expected to attend.

• 6.5.2 However, for the purpose of considering changes to this Constitution, or the dissolution of the Organisation, then two thirds (2/3) of the members shall be present to make a quorum before a decision to change the Constitution is taken.

• 6.5.3 All meetings of the Organisation must reach a quorum before they can start.

• 6.5.4 If, however, a quorum is not present within 15 minutes of the appointed time of the meeting, the meeting must be adjoined or postponed to another date, within 14 days thereafter.

• 6.5.5 If no quorum is present at the reconvened meeting within 15 minutes of the appointed time, the members present shall be regarded to make up the quorum for that meeting and the meeting will continue as if a quorum is present.

6.6 PROCEDURES OF MEETINGS

6.6.1 The Board may regulate its meetings and proceedings as it deems fit, subject to the following:

* That the Chairperson shall chair all meetings of the Organisation including

that of the Board

* That if the Chairperson is not present, the Vice-Chairperson shall chair such meeting. In the event both are absent, the Board members present at the meeting shall elect a Chairperson for that meeting.

6.7 MAKING DECISIONS IN MEETINGS

• 6.7.1 Where possible the decisions of the Organisation shall be taken by consensus, then members will discuss options for a while and then call for a vote.

• 6.7.2 All votes shall be counted and the majority votes on an issue shall be regarded as the decision of the meeting.

• 6.7.3 However, if opposing votes are equal on an issue, then the Chairperson has either a second or deciding vote.

• 6.7.4 All members must abide by the majority vote.

• 6.7.5 Decisions concerning changes to this Constitution, or of dissolution and closing down of the Organisation, shall only be dealt with in terms of clauses 9 and 10 of the is Constitution.

6.8 RECORDS OF MEETINGS

6.8.1 Proper minutes and attendance records must be kept for all meetings of the Organisation.

6.8.2 The minutes shall be confirmed as a true record of proceedings by the next meeting of the Board, or of general members as the case may be and shall thereafter be signed by the Chairperson.

6.8.3 Minutes shall thereafter be kept safely and always be on hand for members to consult.

7 INCOME AND PROPERTY

• 7.1 The Organisation will keep a record of everything it owns.

• 7.2 The Organisation may not give any of its money or property to its members or the Board. The only time it can do this is when it pays for work that an Office Bearer or member has done for the Organisation. The payment must be a reasonable amount for the work that has been done.

• 7.3 The Board or a member of the Organisation can only get money back from the Organisation for expenses she or he has paid for or on behalf of the Organisation, and for which authorization has been granted.

• 7.4 The Board or members of the Organisation do not have rights over things that belong to the Organisation.

8 FINANCES AND REPORTS

8.1 Bank Account: The Board must open a bank account in the name of the Organisation with a registered bank.

8.2 Signing: Cheques and other documents requiring signature on behalf of the Organisation shall be signed by at least 2 persons authorized by the Board. Whenever funds are taken out of the bank account, the Chairperson and at least 2 other members of the Organisation must sign the withdrawal or cheque.

8.3 Financial year-end: The financial year end of the Organisation shall be the end March each year.

8.4 Financial Report: The Board must ensure that proper records and books of account which reflect the affairs of the Organisation are kept, and within 6 months of its financial year a report is compiled by an independent registered Accounting Officer stating whether or not the financial statements of the Organisation are consistent with its accounting policies and practices of the Organisation.

8.5 The Treasurer is responsible to ensure that the money of the Organisation is safe and is accounted for.

8.6 The Treasurer must also make regular reports to the Board on the finances of the Organisation, which should include all incomes, expenditures and balances that remain according to accounting practices of the Organisation.

8.7 If the Organisation has funds that can be invested, the funds may only be invested with registered financial institutions. These institutions are listed in Section 1 of the Financial Institutions (Investment Funds) Act 1984, or as shall be amended. Or the Organisation can get securities that are listed on a licensed stock exchange as set out in the Stock Exchange Control Act 1985 (as amended). The Organisation can go to different banks to seek advice on the best way to look after its funds.

9 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

9.1 The Constitution can only be changed by a resolution. The resolution has to be agreed upon and passed by not less than two thirds (2/3) or at least 67% of the members who are at the AGM or SGM. Members must vote at this meeting to change the Constitution.

9.2 For the purpose of considering changes to this Constitution two thirds (2/3) of the members shall be present at a meeting to make a quorum before a decision to change the constitution is taken. Any AGM may vote upon such a motion, if the details of the changes are set out in the notice referred to in clause 6 of this Constitution.

9.3 As provided for in clause 6. Written notices must go out not less than 14 days before the meeting at which the change to the Constitution are going to be proposed. The notice must indicate the proposed changes to the Constitution that will be discussed at the meeting.

9.4 No amendments may be made which would cause the organisation to close down or stop to function or die away.

10 DISSOLUTION/CLOSING DOWN

10.1 The Organisation may dissolve or close down if at least two thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting at a meeting convened for the purpose of considering such a matter, are in favour of closing down.

10.2 When the Organisation closes down it has to pay off all of its debts. After doing this, if there is property or money left over it should not be paid or given to the members of the Organisation. It should be given in some way to another non-profit organisation that has similar objectives. The Organisation’s general meeting can decide what Organisation this should be.

This Constitution was approved and accepted by members of Animals Have Rights 2.