Constitution

Last Updated: 11 December 2018.

1. Name

1.1 The organisation hereby constituted will be called Fur-Get-Me-Knot.

1.2 Its shortened name will be FGMK (Hereinafter 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

Background of the organisation:

• Whereas we live in a society faced with challenges of poverty and the drawbacks it brings; and
• Whereas we experience the effects to the most vulnerable (the abused and neglected animals in the townships);
• Whereas the animals of today are not spared from these challenges of whom we need to take care of and educate the community of how to care and respect their pets;
• Whereas it is our mission to supply love, food, emergency vet care, community education on pet care and to assist population control by taking decisive action;
• Whereas we recognise these challenges and realise that we need to make an important difference;
• Fur-Get-Me-Knot is committed to unselfishly taking action to give the love, affection, population sterilisation and health care to the needy and over-breeding animals so that we all may have a better future. That includes teaching the community how to better care for their pets.

The organisation’s main objectives are to:

• Helping the animals of the poorer communities including needed health care, sterilisation programs and feeding/deworming programs.
• The Organisation’s ancillary equally important objective is the community development and education for the better care and treatment of domestic animals.

The organisation’s secondary objectives will be to:

• Running education programs designed for children and adults to teach the proper care and treatment of pets. Through the better care of their pets, the people learn responsibility, love, affection, empathy and responsibility.

4. Governing Structure and Mechanism of Goverance

4.1 A Management Committee will manage the organisation. The management will be made up of not less than three (3) members. They are the office-bearers of the organisation.

4.2 The first Management Committee as of the 20th of November 2018, will consist of:

• Julie Diane Marzio (Chairperson / Treasurer)
• Gregori Nicola Marzio (Vice-Chairperson / Webmaster)
• Elizabeth Mary Cunningham (Secretary)
• Josephine Annette Hon (Co-Ordinator)

4.3 Term of office: Office bearers will serve for a period of one (1) year which has been agreed to by the general membership at an AGM, and which shall not exceeding three (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.

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

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

4.6 Disqualification or Removal: If an Office Bearer does not attend three (3) meetings in a row, without having applied for and obtaining leave of absence from the Board, then the Board will find a new member to take that person’s place.

5. Powers of the Organisation

5.1 The Board shall 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 believes 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 (1) 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 provided that:-

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

5.5.2 at least one (1) Office Bearer serves in the sub-committee.

5.5.3 there are three (3) or more people on a 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 (AGM)

6.1.1 Stakeholders of the organisation must attend its annual general meetings.

6.1.2 The purpose of an Annual General Meeting (AGM) is to:

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

6.1.3 The annual general meeting 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 annual general meeting:

• 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 meetings can take the shape of an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or any ordinary meeting of members.

6.2.3 The Board or not less than one-third (⅓) of the members may call a Special General Meeting 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 regular AGM or ordinary meeting.

6.3 Ordinary Meetings

6.3.1 Ordinary members 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 at least 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 Board members know the date of the proposed meeting within a reasonable time, but not less than seven (7) days, before it is due to take place.

6.4.2 However, when convening an AGM, or a Special General Meeting, all members of the organisation must be informed of the meeting no less than fourteen (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 it is convenient, to the address or other similar particulars provided by the members.

6.4.4 The notices for 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 proven otherwise.

6.4.6 All members present in person at 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 (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 a two-thirds (⅔) of the members shall be present at a meeting 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 fifteen (15) minutes of the appointed time of the meeting, the meeting must be adjourned or postponed to another date, within fourteen (14) days thereafter.

6.5.5 If no quorum is present at the reconvened meeting within fifteen (15) minutes of the appointed time, the members present shall be regarded six (6) to make up a quorum for that meeting and the meeting will continue as if a quorum is present.

6.6 Procedures at 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 organisations shall be taken by consensus. However, when there is no 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 issues shall be regarded as the decision of the meeting

6.7.3 However, if opposing votes are equal on an issue, then the chairperson in that meeting has either a second or a deciding vote.

6.7.4 All members must abide by the majority decision

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 nine (9) and ten (10) of this 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 Bearers 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 that she or he has paid for or on behalf of the organisation, and for which authorisation 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 two (2) persons authorised by the Board. Whenever funds are taken out of the bank account, the chairperson and at least two (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 end of February 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 six (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 for making sure 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 of 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 (⅔) (or at least 67%) of the members who are at the annual general meeting or special general meeting. Members must vote at this meeting to change the constitution.

9.2 For the purpose of considering changes to this constitution, a two-thirds (⅔) of the members shall be present at a meeting to make a quorum before a decision to change the constitution is taken. Any annual general meeting may vote upon such a motion, if the details of the changes are set out in the notice referred to in clause six (6) of this constitution.

9.3 As provided for in clause six (6), written notices must go out not less than fourteen (14) days before the meeting at which the changes 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 (⅔) of the members present and voting at a meeting convened for the purpose of considering such matter, are in favour of closing down.

10.2 When the organisation closes down it has to pay off all its debts. After doing this, if there is property or money left over it should not be paid or given to 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 Fur-Get-Me-Knot at a special (general) meeting held on the 11th of December 2018.