Children Climate Hope Initiative

THE CONSTITUTION OF CHILDREN & CLIMATE HOPE INITIATIVE (CCHI) KIDUKURU/KIHEMBO ARTICLE 1: NAME AND LOCATION OF THE ORGANISATION (A)NAME 1) The name of the organization shall be called CHILDREN & CLIMATE HOPE INITIATIVE 2) NATURE OF ORGANIZATION: Children & Climate Hope Initiativeis a Non governmental Organisation which shall be independent, non-denominational, non-partisan, and non-governmental. It shall focus on supporting nature, vulnerable communities, Children & Individuals. (B) ADDRESS OF THE ORGANISATION 1) Location: The administrative offices of Children & Climate Hope Initiativeshall be located at KIDUKURU/KIHEMBO WARD 2) Postal address: P.O Box .... Fort Portal 3) Tel: (mob) 0779783696/0777878144/0790218843/0771636303 4) E-mail: childrenclimatehopeinitiative@gmail.com 5) Area of operation: The organization shall carry out activities first in Kabarole district and later expand to other districts of Uganda. ARTICLE 2: OBJECTIVES OF THE ORGANISATION A. VISION, MISSION AND CORE VALUES 1) Vision of Eco Future & Children Foundation. To be the leading social economic empowered organisation in Rwenzori Districts and beyond by protecting the rights of children & climate change. 2) Mission: To empower, enhance Vulnerable communities in Rwenzori region through training communities on environmental protection across the Rwenzori region. 3) Core Values: Children & Climate Hope Initiative upholds the following values of cooperation, partnership, leadership, integrity, hard work, and have trust among people communities. B. AIMS OBJECTIVES OF CHILDREN & CLIMATE HOPE INITIATIVE The objectives for which Children & Climate Hope Initiative has been established shall be as follows: - a) To empower the community to be self-reliant at the grass root level as a means of reducing poverty in the local population. b) To conduct research and sharing of information about the development challenges of the underprivileged communities and this may include but not limited to; • Education • Water and Sanitation • Renewable Energy Empowering the underprivileged • HIV and AIDS • MARPS (Most at Risk Populations) • Arts and Crafts • Agriculture and Animal Husbandry • Rural Microfinance • Information and Communications Technology • Savings and Credit c) To mobilize resources to support community-based projects d) To promote sustainable Utilization of the resources at grass root level. e) To protect and conserve the environment in a manner that is sustainable and developmental to the local communities. f) To impart required knowledge, skills and tools to grass root communities to enable them manage their own development g) Dissemination of Information to the grass root communities that is pivotal in improving their livelihoods. h) To identify and promote economically sustainable community-based projects through research processes conducted under the areas in (b) above. ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP a) Membership of Children & Climate Hope Initiative is open to the following: - i. Development partners; ii. Farmers/Individuals at village level iii. Grass root poverty eradication associations iv. Professional groups or Associations involved in quality service delivery. b) There shall be a register of members of Children & Climate Hope Initiativeshowing in respect of each member the following: - i. The name, address ii. Focus and activity area; iii. The date of admission; iv. Aid / Help Given b) DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF MEMBERS. (a) Rights of a member: Any member of the organization shall have the following rights: • The right to participate in all affairs of the organization. • The right to elect and be elected to any position of responsibility. • The right to leave or sign from the organization provided the conditions for resignations are met. (b) Obligation of member Any member of the association is obliged to: • Honor this constitution • Respect other members of the organization • Participate actively in all activities aimed at attaining the organization objectives • Keep secrets of the organization • Exercise self-discipline. (c) Termination of Membership A person shall cease to be a member of the organization if he/she: 1. Dies. 2. Is declared to be of unsound mind by a recognized medical authority. 3. Voluntarily withdraws from the organization by giving three months' notice of withdrawal to the general secretary. 4. Is expelled from the organization for reasons that are destructive to Eco Future & Children Foundation, provided always that a member shall not be expelled unless he/she has been given a written warning by the General Assembly and has been given the opportunity to present his/her case before the executive committee. (d) RESIGNATION OF MEMBERS Any member intending to resign his/her membership shall tender his/her resignation in writing to the general secretary at any time during the year, giving reasons for wishing to resign. It is hereby provided that any monies paid to the organization by such a member by way of membership fee or subscription shall not be refundable. (e) DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS If the conduct of any member (for example, convicted of major criminal offence, embezzlement/misappropriation of funds), total failure to serve the objectives of Children & Climate Hope Initiativeas to harm the cause and image of the organization; it shall be the duty of the executive committee on receiving such complaint to inquire into such conduct and if satisfied to the correctness of such charge, to require such a member to tender his/her resignation in writing within fourteen days. But if the member fails to tender his/her resignation within the prescribed period, he/she shall automatically cease to be a member. ARTICLE 4 LEADERSHIP / ORGANS OF THE ORGANISATION THERE SHALL BE TWO TYPES OF ORGANS, NAMELY: a) General assembly b) Executive committee A) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY This is the assembly of all members either in Annual General Meeting or at an Extra-ordinary General Meeting and shall be presided over by the Chairperson assisted by the General Secretary. a) Functions Of the General Assembly 1. The general assembly shall receive and approve annual work plans and reports. 2. Receive and approve audited financial reports from the executive committee. 3. Approve the annual budget. 4. Receive and approve policies of the organization. b) The executive committee (i) Composition of the executive committee The organisation shall have an executive whose members shall be elected by the general assembly under democratic principles of governance (a total of 5/5 members): a. The Executive Director b. The chairperson c. The general secretary d. The treasurer e. Publicity In all positions, the issues of gender equity and participation of young people shall be taken into consideration. (ii) Functions of the executive committee • Be responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization. • Implement the decisions of the general assembly. • Bear collective responsibility to the general assembly • Initiate, formulate and implement policies with approval of the general assembly. • Objectively listen to complaints, suggestions, and ideas of the members of the organization and take appropriate measures. • Be responsible for all financial matters of the centre. (iii) Duties of the executive members. (i) The chairperson • The chairperson shall, in close consultation with the executive, patron, and members of the organization, coordinate the activities of the organization towards the realization of its objectives. • Be the executive head of the organization. • Preside over all meetings of the organization. • Be principal signatory to the bank account of the organization. • Link up the association to other stakeholders, be it government or non-government organization. • Present his/her annual report to the members in the next general meeting. • Monitor the progress of the activities of the association. (ii) Vice chairperson • Deputize chairperson during his/her absence. • Perform other duties as shall be assigned to him by the chairperson or general assembly. (iii) Duties of the general secretary • Be the secretary to all meetings of the organization. • Take and keep records of all the proceedings and minutes of the organization. • In consultation with the chairperson, invite and draw up the agenda of the meetings. • Read to the members minutes of the previous meeting. • Monitor and remind the members of their solutions reached before the next meeting. • Be a signatory to the bank account of the organization. (iv) Duties of the Treasurer • Keep all financial records and accounts of the organization. • Present financial report and statement of account when required to the organization. • Take custody of monies and fixed assets of the organization. • Lay strategies for raising funds of the organization. • Be the signatory of financial transactions and bank account of the organization. • Budget and read the budget and balance sheet to the general assembly. (v) Duties of the Committee Members • To attend all executive meetings. • Perform other duties assigned to him by the chairperson or general assembly. SPECIAL COMMITTEES 1. The general assembly shall from time to time establish special/departmental committees for specific functions as may be necessary. 2. The special committees formed in accordance with section (1) above shall meet as and when necessary to conduct its business at such times as the instrument establishing it stipulates. 3. The special committees shall work under and report to the executive committee. (C) THE PATRON Qualification: He/she shall be a distinguished person of high Caliber nominated by the executive and approved by the general. Role: To promote the organization and advise the executive on the development of the organization and look for funding opportunities. Terms of service: The patron shall hold office for a period of four years and may be eligible for re-appointment. ARTICLE 5: TERM OF OFFICE/ELECTION PROCEDURE (A)Tenure of Office of the Executive Members Members of the executive shall hold office for a period of 4 years and shall be eligible for re-elections. (B) Elections of Office Bearers • Elections of the executive shall be held by the general assembly when the term of office of the current executive is about to expire. • Three persons shall be nominated per post. • After the elections, the retiring executive shall organize a handover function to hand over office to the new executive within 30 days. ARTICLE 6: MEETINGS / QUORUM (A) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) 1. The organization shall each year hold 2 annual general meetings for the general assembly, which shall be specified in the notice calling the same as the general assembly (at the beginning and end of the financial year). 2. The general assembly shall circulate the notice of the annual general meeting and agenda 14 days before the meeting. 3. Determination of any issue at the general assembly shall be by 2/3 majority vote of full members present in person and voting by proxy shall not be allowed. 4. The chairperson shall have a casting vote at the general assembly in the event of a tie. 5. The quorum at any general assembly shall be three (3/4) to the total full members. 6. The annual general meeting or general assembly shall take place at such places at such times and dates as the executive committee may appoint. Provided that where the executive fails to do so for fifteen (15) calendar months without reasonable cause, the patron may call and convene the general assembly. (B) Attendance at the general meeting. 1. The annual general assembly shall be attended by all members of the organization plus persons and organizations affiliated to the organization provided affiliated members shall have no voting rights. 2. An extraordinary meeting of the general assembly to conduct urgent business may be convened by the executive upon petition to that effect being filed by two thirds (2/3) of the fully registered members of the organization. 3. At such meetings the specified subject alone shall be discussed. 4. For the avoidance of any doubt all general meetings other than the annual general assembly shall be called extraordinary general meetings. (c) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS. 1. The executive committee shall meet monthly to conduct its business at such times as the policy shall determine. 2. The quorum of the committee shall be 2/3 two thirds of the members. 3. The committee may invite any person or persons of any specialized training and knowledge to its meetings for purposes of advising the committee provided always that such person or persons shall not have voting rights. 4. The committee may regulate its procedure at the meetings. (d) VOTING AT MEETINGS At any meeting whether annual or extraordinary the question before the meeting shall be decided by a majority (according to the specifications of that committee) of those present and by voting. No voting by proxy shall be allowed. (e) NOTICES AT MEETINGS A notice stating among other things the date, time and place of the meeting shall be served by the general secretary 7 days for executive meetings and 14 days for AGM to all members supposed to attend the said meeting; provided that in all cases requiring notice of either executive committee or annual general meeting or extraordinary meeting, the accidental omission to give notice shall not invalidate the proceedings of that meeting. ARTICLE 7: SOURCES OF FUNDING/FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (A) SOURCE OF FUNDS The funds of the organization shall consist of: 1. Money collected as membership and subscription fees. 2. Money accruing from fundraising activities, interest and rates accruing from any investments by the organization. 3. Donations, gifts, and grants. 4. Any funds accruing to the organization in the discharge of its functions under this constitution. 5. Money from tenders and service delivered by the organization. 6. Money from sales of products & Items of the organization. 7. Any other lawful sources as shall be approved by the general assembly. (B) BANK ACCOUNT 1. Bank accounts of the organization shall be opened with any commercial banks or such other financial institutions as determined by the general assembly. 2. While considering an appropriate bank or financial institution, the general assembly shall pay due regard to the proximity, accessibility, and operations of suggested banks or financial. (C) THE FINANCIAL YEAR The financial year of the organization shall conform to the normal calendar year. (D) AUDITING Account of the association shall be audited as required by the general assembly, and an appointee of the general assembly shall carry out auditing. (e) THE ORGANIZATION There shall be a seal for the organization whose design shall be approved by the general assembly. The organization seal shall be kept by the general secretary. (f) FINES The general assembly may, after due consideration, lay such a fine on members who deliberately refuse to comply with the provisions of this constitution, and instructions or decisions duly issued by the general assembly or the executive. (g) MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS (A) There shall be three signatories to the organization’s bank account; the chairperson, general secretary, and treasurer shall be the signatories to the organization’s bank account with the chairperson as the principal signatory. (B) All monies of the organization shall be deposited on the organization’s account by the treasurer/accountant/cashier within five working days, and deposit slips presented to the chairperson. (C) In case of withdrawal of funds exceeding Shs 100,000/=, at least two authorizing officers shall approve the payment. (D) The cashier shall stay with a sum of Shs 100,000/= in his/her safe as petty cash for the running of day-to-day organization activities. (E) Detailed financial policy shall be developed by the executive. ARTICLE 8: CONFLICT RESOLUTION The conflict of the organization shall be managed as follows: 1. The executive committee shall first intervene, and in case it fails to resolve the issues, they shall be forwarded to the general assembly for further discussion. 2. Issues failed to be solved by the general assembly shall be forwarded to courts of law for the necessary action. ARTICLE 9: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS This constitution or any part of it is subject to amendment if the need arises. However, the specific time for its review should be every two years. In the general assembly, members shall suggest areas of amendment. The areas for amendment should be discussed in the executive meeting, and the executive shall call a general assembly a month prior to the actual meeting of amendment. Provided that the agenda for that meeting shall be communicated to members a month prior to the meeting. ARTICLE 10: DISSOLUTION OF THE ORGANISATION The organization shall be dissolved if a motion duly proposed by at least three (3) full members at a meeting of the general assembly to that effect is carried out by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members present and voting, provided that the proposal to move such a motion shall have been included on the agenda for the meeting. The following shall be some of the conditions of dissolution: (a) When declared bankrupt by a competent court. (b) Gross deviation from the objectives for which it was formed. (c) When the management/organization fails to follow the objects for which the organization was formed. (d) If a supervening event or an act which is beyond the control of the management of the organization occurs and frustrates the objects of the organization. (e) Any other reasonable cause subject to approval by the general assembly. SUPREMACY This constitution shall be the supreme policy-making instrument and law governing Children & Climate Hope Initiativewhen a conflict or inconsistency arises between it and any other instrument, resolution, policy or procedure belonging to Children & Climate Hope Initiative. The provisions of this constitution shall override the other instrument, resolution, policy or procedure to the extent of its inconsistency. CHILDREN & CLIMATE HOPE INITIATIVE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE WE THE MEMBERS OF CHILDREN & CLIMATE HOPE INITIATIVEHAVE READ, DISCUSSED AND APPROVED THIS CONSTITUTION ON THIS DAY, 22nd OF APRIL 2026