₦airaland Forum

Uniquexty: Jst came in now from Diamond bank. I got the form. We need 3 signatries, minutes of our meetings, valid id cards, constitution, national ids....

Am in for the second signature. How do we meet? Willing to travel for this from Monday cuz we need to move fast on this...who'll sign the third signature?

DailyNews: I am already seeing the success of your admin status, meanwhile, they can go ahead and form, but first, we need to know their number and they need to register officially as stipulated, thats the least we can take. We cannot keep entertaining people who stumble upon this idea and buy it for a minute they are using the Internet & then go home to forget they showed interest to join a great movement, thats why we need to be sure they are truly ready to join us through their registration, and not by forming another social gathering in north-east in the name of YAN, no, we cant entertain that. Thanks, keep up the good job!

OK...what of the ad hoc account issue...been trying as much as I can to urge them to ignore it and register with what we have, so was wondering whether Uniquexty is getting any sms notifications from her bank...where she dey sef? lol...Please the bank account issue is really hampering us. Many people want to register (if ur following our fanpage on Facebook), but they seem to be hesitating due to this. WE NEED THAT CORPORATE ACCOUNT RIGHT NOW IF WE ARE REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT THIS. Please discuss with Uniquexty, we need to get a Corporate bank account. Maybe the three of us can become signatories to it and let's move on...see what Damilola wrote on our fanpage...and me thinks he's right...

Damilola Olanrewaju: Why is it that YAN hasn't gotten an official bank account under the organisation's name instead of an individual's? I'm not being paranoid, but I don't think the public would welcome the idea of paying money into a single individual's bank account.
It doesn't cost a fortune to open a new account, does it?

DaillyNews, someone asking about forming North-Western Zone on our Facebook fan page. Should I give him the go-ahead? Would be members equally talking about the need for a corporate account on our fb fanpage. Just to let you know. They say they want the account up n running before they register. Told them to ignore that issue and use the ad hoc account for now...what do you think? Uniquexty, getting any payment texts on your account?

Titugirl: I'm interested.my email is titubaby4real@gmail.com

Please this is very important for those of you who have not registered. Note there's a registeration fee of N1000.00. Our ad hoc bank account number is

3031520345, Eke Christiana Nzie, First Bank of Nigeria PLC.

Follow these steps in order to become a member of YAN.
1. Go to the said bank and pay the non-refundable fee of N1000.00 into the said account number. Please save your teller number.
2. Next, send an email to naija.writersclub@gmail.com with 'MEMBERSHIP REQUEST' as your subject. Quote your teller number in the body of this email.

When we get verification from the bank that you have paid the non-refundable fee, and duly noted your teller number is correct, then the registration form will be forwarded to you within 24 hrs after this verification process.

3. When you fill the form that will be sent to you, send it back to naija.writersclub@gmail.com
Please attach a passport photograph and a copy of your drama, short story prose or poetry work to this second email. An email notifying you of your acceptance into YAN will be forwarded to you after this. Remain blessed.

seunpayne: You assume much and know too little. I require no framework information nor did I ever mention using a cms site. I'm the first web-developer going for a week? Well, I would have thought curiosity will at least allow you to see what I offered before you began casting your doubts. My offer stays withdrawn but just to answer questions you were to proud to ask.

I had a team standing by ready to work to your specification. I was willing to let YAN have their services so as to speed things up. Do your home work a bit before you put people down. My dad liked the idea and was willing to pay for everything...including the hosting. I never claimed anything. I just gave my word on something you failed to give me a chance to prove.

If this is the welcome you plan on giving future members who wish to help...well. I've said too much already. I will see this site you insulted me for and for your ego's sake I pray it was worth it. Let YAN make do.

Seun, nice to have you. Nobody is disputing what you can do. Sunical just needs some answers, that's all. It's good you can do this in a week. I just need to see the sites you have done, then we can know whether you can join Sunical in developing our site, but please note he's the main developer we have for now, so let's all do this in a mature way peeps, please?

Please download and share...

Please this is very important for those of you who have not registered. Note there's a registeration fee of N1000.00. Our ad hoc bank account number is

3031520345, Eke Christiana Nzie, First Bank of Nigeria PLC.

Follow these steps in order to become a member of YAN.
1. Go to the said bank and pay the non-refundable fee of N1000.00 into the said account number. Please save your teller number.
2. Next, send an email to naija.writersclub@gmail.com with 'MEMBERSHIP REQUEST' as your subject. Quote your teller number in the body of this email.

When we get verification from the bank that you have paid the non-refundable fee, and duly noted your teller number is correct, then the registration form will be forwarded to you within 24 hrs after this verification process.

3. When you fill the form that will be sent to you, send it back to naija.writersclub@gmail.com
Please attach a passport photograph and a copy of your drama, short story prose or poetry work to this second email. An email notifying you of your acceptance into YAN will be forwarded to you after this. Remain blessed.

Please download and share with your friends...

DailyNews: Good job...let all intending members follow the above instruction. You all are gladly welcome!

Call me? We need to talk...

simdam500: @porter, this is interesting. I will like to be among the club, dis is an advantage for me but is it only for dis genre(s): fiction/non-fiction short stories, novellas, novel, poetry or drama only, what about motivational/inspirational books, cos i luv dat aspect. Yet, tanx for d advantage u ave given. I appreciate

YAN is for all genres of writing. You are welcome. Please this is very important for those of you who have not registered. Note there's a registeration fee of N1000.00. Our ad hoc bank account number is

3031520345, Eke Christiana Nzie, First Bank of Nigeria PLC.

Follow these steps in order to become a member of YAN.
1. Go to the said bank and pay the non-refundable fee of N1000.00 into the said account number. Please save your teller number.
2. Next, send an email to naija.writersclub@gmail.com with 'MEMBERSHIP REQUEST' as your subject. Quote your teller number in the body of this email.

When we get verification from the bank that you have paid the non-refundable fee, and duly noted your teller number is correct, then the registration form will be forwarded to you within 24 hrs after this verification process.

3. When you fill the form that will be sent to you, send it back to naija.writersclub@gmail.com
Please attach a passport photograph and a copy of your drama, short story prose or poetry work to this second email. An email notifying you of your acceptance into YAN will be forwarded to you after this. Remain blessed.

2ruink: Hmmmm...! I am impressed. having gone through most of your posts here, let me announce that your record so far is quite recommendable. It is a sheer innovation and I implore you not to relent.
I earlier indicated interest for membership and although I am yet to receive any reply, I crave your indulgence in stating a few observations. It is so because I don';t know the extent to which you will detest my comment owing to my none membership status. I am not very conversant with your etiques because from what I read, you guys have had series of meetings outside niaraland during which some critical issues have been presumably discussed. Not been certain, however, about what you take and what you reject, I wish to point out a few observations and take my contributions from the abstract.
What I see on the verge of existence is an enviable organization called YAN. I can foresee a broad divergence in the areas of subsidiaries and total new ideas attributable to your creative skills and beauty of number. I foresee an assembly of effulgent literally stars doing the same old thing in some extra ordinary ways and people rank it "epitome of youth empowerment". This is the YAN I wish to see.
Unfortunately, I also foresee trouble. What is this about who occupies which position? This is exactly how grudges builds itself. It seems to have been settled among yourselves but your recent posts do no longer portray that sweet passion and love among yourselves. What I see instead is emissions of hidden repugnancies. Grudges gradually building itself! Where has your unanimous love gone to? That love that accompanied passion, that love that accompanied creativity, that love that bonded you and led you this far. I want to believe that outside what you are doing on this forum, you have made various degrees of sacrifices towards realizing this goal - the calls you made, the time you spent and even the mental stress endured in the course of creating this idea.
Btw where are your members? How do you manage your correspondence? (just curios, no strings!) I mean, I came across a whole lot of usernames belonging to those who most probably had joined but I am witnessing the consistencies of only four members. WHY? There is something I know about how people react to developing ideas; they like waiting until the meal is ready. This is why you really have to do something about passivity of members (just advising). You may start this by posting the list of names of registered members, stating their status and eligibility to vote and further send notifications to every member concerning whatever unanimous decision you reach here on the issue. This, I think will help regulate the conduct of members and boost their zeal.
It's rather better to reserve my supposed contribution on the elective positions because that would mean bringing back the seemingly buried dispute. The only point I want to make here is to remind you how ridiculous it would be for you to destroy the good work you started. Cheers!!!

Duely noted...and I like your writing style...will get back to this thread when I get back to Owerri tomorrow...please look up registeration on the constitution above. You will have to keep visiting this thread as well...send an email to naija.writersclub@gmail.com with Membership Application as your subject and a registration form will be forwarded to your inbox...DailyNews, I think we shuld note what he's saying about a Membership list being pasted here. Nice idea to put in the constitution. WILL HAVE TO GATHER ALL THESE WONDERFUL IDEAS FROM THIS PAGE WHEN I GET BACK TO OWERRI...This serves as a Reminder to me

@DailyNews...duely noted. Sunical, it's nice to add the roles of everyone in the Presidency...working on it...happy Sunday...

sunical: More grace on you. Thanks. But I'm still seeing Chair in Article 4. Let's see Article 5. Make sure you distinguish the role of each member of the board - President, Secretary, Vice President, etc. I know this job isn't easy. You're appreciated.

The complete constitution as it is right now. Peeps...any other changes? Post your thoughts please?





THE CONSTITUTION OF YOUNG AUTHORS OF NIGERIA, 2013.

PREAMBLE

Whereas, We the Members of Young Authors of Nigeria…
Under the Cooperate Affairs Commission Act of Nigeria…
Having firmly and solemnly resolved to Discover, Unite, and Empower upcoming, aspiring and established young writers of every literary genre in Nigeria, for the purpose of achieving our individual dreams of becoming published authors of great literary works through joint efforts of members of the association…
And to provide, for a constitution for promoting the smooth administration, empowerment and welfare of members as well as the discovery of literary talents…
Do hereby make, enact and give ourselves this constitution…

1. CITATION AND SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION
This constitution may be cited as ‘The Constitution of Young Authors of Nigeria, 2013’

This constitution is supreme and its dictates shall be binding on all persons or group of persons, any committee, authorities who are members, associate members or honorary members of Young Authors of Nigeria and its affiliate components.

Any other constitution or bylaws and decisions reached by the board of management or any other body or group of persons which is inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution or section thereof shall be deemed void due to the extent of such inconsistency and this constitution shall prevail.

2. NAME

2.1 The name of the organisation shall be the

Young Authors of Nigeria

and its short name shall be YAN (hereinafter referred to as the Association).

2.2. The Association shall be an association (universitas) established under the Nigerian common law, a corporate body existing in its own right, separately from its members and continuing to exist even when its membership changes and there are different office bearers. The Association shall be able to own property and other possessions, which are not distributable to its members or associate members (or their representatives) or office-bearers, and will be able to sue and be sued in its own name. Members or office bearers of the organisation do not have rights over things that belong to the organisation. In due course the Association may decide in favour of registration using the body certified for this activity in Nigeria and in terms of the relevant laws guiding this step under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

2. GOALS

YAN will aim to give voice to the interests and concerns of all young aspiring authors and poets within and outside Nigeria, whether their works have appeared in print or not. This is Nigeria’s first national association established especially for young authors of all genres, dedicated to improving and promoting their works and their status in society, sharing information and offering advice.


YAN’s vision is to become a member-driven association aiming to uphold and enhance the profile and status of all young writers in Nigeria, through advocating for the recognition of their works and protection of their rights, in collaboration and cooperation with all stakeholders in the book value chain. YAN also aims at improving the social wellbeing of its members through wholesome and enjoyable recreational engagements proportionately spread throughout its yearly calendar.

YAN’s mission will include the following:

• To discover, unite and empower all upcoming, aspiring and established young writers (in literary genre) in Nigeria, for the purpose of achieving our individual dreams of becoming published authors of great literary works through joint efforts of members and associate members.
• To promote the recognition and fair remuneration of authors, and respect for their rights;
• To facilitate the creation, publication and dissemination of quality works by both published and aspiring authors;
• To make and maintain links with and encourage cooperation between authors and others in the book value chain.
• To promote and publicize established member authors
• To encourage and promote reading of literary works amongst young people and adults in Nigeria
• Finally, to uplift Nigeria’s image through our literary works

YAN’s goals/objectives will be in two parts:

Short-term Goals

1. To unite all talented young writers and poets in Nigeria
2. To publish a first annual anthology of thrilling short stories (compiled and carefully selected from well-written short stories, originally written & submitted by active members)
3. To also publish an anthology of poems written by members
4. To create a carefully developed and appealing website for the club, solely for the promotion of the association and its members
5. To create a Facebook celebrity/fan page for faster publicity
6. Officially register the association with a clearly-written constitution
7. Officially document/register all active members
Long-term Goals

1. Hold bi-annual club meetings and retreats
2. Engage in constructive criticisms of members’ works to assist members become better writers
3. Conduct Annual seminars/workshops on literary writing skills and techniques to assist members and other interested Nigerians in becoming outstanding authors
4. Conduct Annual writing competitions, with young people within the age of 18 to 30 as our targeted audience, for the purpose of discovering hidden talents in Nigeria
5. Conduct Annual beauty pageants as a way of promoting literature and our association within and beyond Nigeria
6. Establish a state-of-the-art publishing outfit to help publish more Nigerian writers, and to also raise fund for the association to pursue its goals and targets
7. Develop a writer’s weekly/monthly magazine/newspaper aimed at promoting literature and reading in Nigeria.
8. To promote and protect the intellectual property rights of its members and of all young authors in Nigeria, and to inform authors about their rights.
9. To promote sound professional and legal relationships between authors and publishers and to assist authors in negotiating fair publishing contracts.
10. To offer advice and assistance to authors of young works.
11. To encourage the personal development of aspiring and emerging young authors and to offer guidance in all aspects of such writing.
12. To provide a forum for debating issues of interest to young authors and to provide support and solidarity in interacting with other writers, in Nigeria and abroad.
13. To facilitate interaction, exchange and collaboration between writers across the different media and with artists in other disciplines.
14. To liaise and cooperate with local, national, regional and international bodies involved in the funding, promotion, distribution and development of writing.
15. To promote members’ publications, both nationally and internationally.
16. To promote and protect freedom of expression.
17. Vigorously publicize the association in any news and entertainment media both local and international as well as relevant online websites.
18. Initiate the organization of a yearly ‘Awards Nite,’ during which awards will be given to outstanding members of the association.
3. DEFINITIONS

In this Constitution,
a. Member means any person who is a signed-up Member of the Association as an Ordinary Member, or an Associate Member, or an Honorary Member.
b. Honorary Member is a distinguished individual, nominated by the Board, who serves as a patron of the Association.
c. Associate Member is either a group or organisation, or an individual whose objectives are similar to those of the Association but who is not eligible for membership under any other category.
d. Branch means a group of Ordinary Members who have applied for and have been granted recognition as a Branch by the Annual General Meeting of the Association. Branches can only be formed outside Nigeria. The six geopolitical zones within the country make out the six established Zones of the Association. Each zone is expected to elect three or four representatives to represent them at the official lunching of the association. The representatives shall be elected democratically, and there must be gender consideration during the election to ensure equal opportunity for both genders. To that effect, there must be at least one female representative in each zone.
e. Nigerian means a person who is a citizen of Nigeria, or a permanent resident, or who is ordinarily resident in Nigeria even if temporarily resident abroad at the time of joining.
f. Quorum means the presence of at least two-third of members.
g. Reached a quorum means that the presence of at least two-third of members shall be necessary for the disposal of any business at any meeting.
h. Pioneer members mean persons who joined during the application for registration.
i. Pioneers mean persons who co-initiated and shaped the founder’s idea towards realising the association. The following names are Pioneers in this Association:

Eke Christiana
Emma Ogiri C.
Ukachukwu Chidube George
Phoebe Ikechukwu
Samuel Ugbechie

j. Founder means the person who initiated the formation of the association. He is Ngozika A. Frank Nwiro.
k. Annual General Assembly means the association’s main summit holds ones within the period of twelve months. See functions thereafter....


3. MEMBERSHIP

a. Ordinary membership shall be open to all young Nigerian authors between the ages of 18 (eighteen) and 40 (forty) whose works could be in any language.
b. Associate membership shall be open to all Nigerian literary groups and/or writers’ organisations and to individuals of all ages;
c. The Founder and Pioneers have a Life Membership. This means that the age limit for termination of Ordinary Membership does not apply to their membership.
d. Honorary membership shall be extended to individuals subject to Members’ approval at the Annual General Meeting.

3.1. The membership registration fee shall be determined by a two-thirds’ majority of the Annual General Meeting at the recommendation of the Board of Management. All Members shall pay an annual subscription fee at the rate stipulated by the Annual General Meeting at the recommendation of the Board of Management. Default fee is N1000.00 or its foreign currency equivalent.
3.2. Registration shall involve the filling of the membership form, submission of a copy of one’s drama, prose or poetry and the provision of two passport photographs, all in an envelope, as well as payment of the default non-refundable N1000.00 registration fee or its equivalent in any foreign currency.
- Also, the Association’s website shall have a registration portal where prospective members can click and fill the membership form online and submit same but under the condition that provision be made for filling of teller number or credit card acceptance, without which the form cannot be submitted.
- Prospective members shall also be able to pay their registration fee at the bank, which will alert the Treasurer before their posted or emailed registration details get to him/her. The alert serves as verification that the prospective member has paid and is now eligible to be accepted as a member.
3.3. Any Member may resign from the Association by giving one month’s notice in writing of his or her intention to do so, and upon the expiration of such notice he or she shall cease to be a Member but shall remain liable for payment of arrears of subscription or other monies (if any) due by him or her to the Association at the time of resignation.

4. BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

a. The affairs of the Association shall be administered by a Board of Management which shall be elected every two years at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. The Board of Management shall be composed of no fewer than five and not more than eight members, and shall include a Chairperson, the President and a Treasurer. The Board of Management shall have the power to co-opt additional members with their consent.
b. All Board members must be Members.
c. Office bearers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

4.1. The Board of Management shall have the power to do all things necessary to carry out and promote the objectives of the Association, except such matters as are required by this Constitution to be submitted to a General Meeting of the Association. Without limiting the powers and duties of the Board of Management, they shall include the following:

a. To make, amend or rescind Regulations for the administration of the affairs of the Association, within the scope of this Constitution;
b. To appoint Committees from among its members or otherwise for such purpose and upon such terms as may be considered desirable (for ad hoc Committees, a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 8 members is allowed), and to delegate such powers thereof as may be necessary;
c. To summon, at any time, a General Meeting of the Association;
d. To open banking accounts in the name of the Association and to resolve the manner of operation of such accounts;
e. To appoint a President to run the National Office of the Association;
f. To play an advisory role in policy formulation, strategic planning, budgeting and programming;
g. To approve expenditure by the President for amounts not in the budget.
h. To meet at least twice a year in order to carry out the above functions.

5. PRESIDENCY

5.1. The day to day administration of the Association shall be managed by the Presidency, which shall consist of the President and any such additional staff members as it may become necessary to engage.

5.2. The President shall be a member of the Board and his duties and responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. To work with the Board in devising policy formulation, strategic planning, budgeting and programming, and to liaise with the funders in the development of budgets and programmes;
b. Developing the membership through planning and organising events that meet members’ needs such as workshops and seminars, and travelling to meet authors’ groups, or to academic institutions, within and outside the country;
c. Keeping a register of members and collecting membership subscriptions (it shall be the responsibility of individual Members to ensure that the Association has their correct current contact details);
d. Monitoring expenditure and ensuring that the Association’s finances are in order;
e. Liaising with important national institutions and stakeholders, attending conferences and symposia and, where necessary, making presentations;
f. Organising and facilitating Board meetings, taking minutes, writing reports and circulating information to Board Members, and drafting reports, leaflets, articles, papers or memoranda as may be required for presentation by YAN or for the management and administration of YAN;
g. The President shall be accountable to the Board of Management in relation to his or her duties and responsibilities in administering the Association.

6. MEETINGS

6.1 The Association shall hold Annual General Meetings of Members once a year and Zonal/Branch meetings once every four months. The Annual General Meeting shall exercise the necessary powers for the promotion of the aims and objectives of the Association, and the Chairperson of the Board of Management shall preside over the Meeting.
6.2 The Annual General Meeting shall elect the Board of Management as and when such elections may become due.
6.3 Special meetings may be called by the Presidency in consultation with the Chairperson of the Board of Management.
6.4 A General Meeting may pass resolutions, and decide on the date and venue of the next Annual General Meeting.
6.5 Sixty per cent (60%) of Ordinary Members present or represented by their proxies shall constitute a quorum at a General Meeting. If the number of Ordinary Members present at a General Meeting is insufficient to constitute a quorum, then it shall be in the discretion of the Board of Management to adjourn the meeting or to continue. Only Ordinary Members or their proxies shall be entitled to vote at a General Meeting. Decisions at a General Meeting shall be taken by a simple majority of Ordinary Members or their proxies present and voting.
6.6 Any Ordinary Member who intends to send a proxy to represent him or her at a General Meeting shall notify the Board of Management in writing of such intention.
6.7 All members of the board of management must agree for there to be a summoning of a General Meeting, but for Special or Emergency General Meetings, it must be 2/3 majority of the board members.


7. PROCEDURE PRIOR TO AND AT MEETINGS

7.1 At least twenty-one days before the date of the Annual General Meeting, the President shall give notice to the Board of Management and to Members of the Association of the date, time and venue of the meeting.
7.2 In such notice, the President shall call for nominations, if applicable, for persons to serve on the Board of Management of the Association and for any resolution or any specific matter to be considered thereat.
7.3 Nominations for persons to serve on the Board of Management or notice of any resolutions to be considered at the Annual General Meeting may be made by any Member and shall be given in writing to the President fourteen (14) days before the date of the Annual General Meeting.
7.4 Seven (7) days before the date of the Annual General Meeting the President shall send to the members of the Board of Management and to Members of the Association:
The agenda for the meeting;
The minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting and of any other General Meetings of which the minutes have not already been confirmed at a General Meeting;
A copy of the Financial Statement for the past financial year and a proposal for a budget for the coming financial year;
Names of nominees for members of the Board of Management (if applicable);
Notice of any resolution which has been proposed for adoption thereat and/or any specific matter which has been proposed for consideration thereat.
7.5 No resolution or specific matter of which notice has not been given shall be put to the vote at the Annual General Meeting, provided that it shall be competent for the Chairperson at his or her discretion to allow any amendment of the wording of the resolution to be moved notwithstanding that notice has not been given of the intention to move such amendment.
7.6 The President shall take minutes of the proceedings of the Annual General Meetings and shall circulate these to all Members within thirty (30) days after the Annual General Meeting.
7.7 At any General Meeting a Member entitled to vote and unable to be present may be represented for voting purposes by another Member provided a proxy signed by the absent Member is filed with the President before any vote is cast under its authority.
7.8 Save as is otherwise provided by this Constitution, all resolutions put to an Annual General Meeting shall be passed and shall be held valid and effectual if carried by a majority of votes cast.
7.9 Voting at the Annual General Meeting shall be by show of hands unless a poll is demanded by a majority of the Ordinary Members present and entitled to vote. The Chairperson shall have a casting vote.
7.10 Save as is otherwise provided by this Constitution, or by a direction given at any prior Annual General Meeting or General Meeting, the proceedings at the Annual General Meeting shall be concluded in such a manner as the Chairperson may determine.


8. BRANCHES

8.1 Any group of Ordinary Members in any other country/province who wish to establish themselves as a Branch of the Association may make written application to the President for registration.
8.2 After the President has approved such application, the Branch members shall elect a committee consisting of a Chairperson, a Treasurer and not more than two more members to act as their executive.
8.3 The committee shall have the autonomy to draw up its own Regulations to assist its day to day administrative functions. Such Regulations will be subject to approval by the President.
8.4 The Branch Chairperson shall call branch Annual General Meetings prior to the National Annual General Meeting, and shall submit the minutes thereof to the National Annual General Meeting at least a month prior to it.
8.5 It shall be in the discretion of the President to allocate funds to duly registered Branches on an ad hoc basis, or in proportion to the membership fees paid by Members who belong to such a Branch. However, branches will be advised to seek funds elsewhere whenever there’s a pressing need for this.

9. FINANCIAL MATTERS

9.1 The Board of Management shall keep proper books of account with respect to the assets and liabilities of the Association, and sums of money received and spent.
9.2 The funds shall be under the administration of the President and the authority of the Treasurer.
9.3 The finances of the Association shall be subject to annual independent audits. The Board of Management shall present the Association’s audited financial statements to the Annual General Meeting.

10. INCOME, PROPERTY AND MONIES

10.1 The income, property and monies of the Association, from whatsoever source derived, shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objectives of the Association as set forth in this Constitution and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise by way of profit to any Member.
10.2 Nothing contained in sub-clause 10.1 shall preclude the payment to Members of travel, subsistence or out-of-pocket expenses, allowances or other remuneration for services rendered by them to or on behalf of the Association.

11. FINANCIAL YEAR OF THE ASSOCIATION

The financial year of the Association shall run from the first day in January to the last day in December of the same year.

12. BOOKS OF ACCOUNT

Books of account of the Association shall be kept by the Treasurer and such books, with all other papers and documents connected with or relating to the business or the affairs of the Association, shall at all times be accessible to the Board of Management, and a statement of the financial affairs of the Association shall be prepared annually.

13. BANKING ACCOUNT

13.1 All monies paid to the Association shall, as soon as possible after receipt, be deposited with a Bank and shall be withdrawn from time to time as may be required.
13.2 All cheques or forms of withdrawal shall be signed and endorsed by such persons as may be authorized by the Board of Management from time to time. There must be 3 (three) Signatories to the Association’s Bank Account at any given time.


14. REGULATIONS AND RULINGS

14.1 The Regulations and Rulings issued by the Board of Management shall be binding upon Members.
14.2 In case of doubt as to the meaning of the Regulations and Rulings the interpretation of the Board of Management shall be binding until such time as the Association may otherwise determine at a General Meeting.

15. INDEMNITY

15.1 Every Member of the Board of Management and of any committee acting on behalf of the Association shall be entitled to recompense for any reasonable cost or expense incurred on behalf of the Association or in the execution of his or her office, except where such cost or expense is incurred by his or her wilful act in default of his or her duty.
15.2 Neither the Association nor any Member thereof shall be liable for any loss or misfortune sustained by any Member as referred to in paragraph 15.1 where such loss or misfortune is not a concomitant part of his or her duty.
15.3 Subject to the responsibility of the Association as set out in paragraph 15.1, no Member of the Association shall be answerable for any act or default of any other Member save insofar as complicity would, in law, render any such Member answerable.

16. AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
Proposed amendments to the Constitution may be made by an Ordinary Member and submitted in writing to the President at least sixty (60) days prior to the meeting at which it is to be tabled. The Constitution may be amended by the vote of not less than 75% of the Ordinary Members present and voting (or their proxies) at a duly convened and quorate Annual General Meeting.

17. DISSOLUTION

The Association may be dissolved by the vote of not less than 75% of the Ordinary Members present and voting at a duly convened and quorate Extraordinary General Meeting. When the Association is wound up or dissolved, any assets remaining after all its liabilities have been met must be transferred to another voluntary association, trust or other body which qualifies as a non-profit association in terms of the definition recorded in the relevant Nigerian laws having objectives similar to the main objectives of the Association.


This Constitution was approved and accepted by members of YAN at an Annual General Meeting held on ……………….

On behalf of the Members:




Signed………………………………………………………





Signed………………………………………………………





Signed………………………………………………………





Signed……………………………………………………….





Signed……………………………………………………….

sunical: More grace on you. Thanks. But I'm still seeing Chair in Article 4. Let's see Article 5. Make sure you distinguish the role of each member of the board - President, Secretary, Vice President, etc. I know this job isn't easy. You're appreciated.

Will do, but Sunday is just too busy for me...

sunical: @Peaceworld

Permanent member of the Board? I never heard of that. It wouldn't be necessary. You know this is not a company or a nonprofit private foundation/organization. If you want it to be an association "of Nigeria", then allow an absolute democracy where everyone is equal. But that doesn't stop DailyNews, who is obviously the initiator, to tag himself with that. We will always recognize and applaud him for this great idea. However, the founder(s) of an association are the people who came together to get it registered - founding members. It's not just the first person to bring up the idea. But as I said, DailyNews should be allowed the necessary recognition for initiating this, but not one with constitutional powers just for the sole reason he initiated the idea.

Thanks.

Don't worry about that...it's been scrapped. The discussion was healthy, though. Article 4 of the Constitution will read thus...


4. BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

a. The affairs of the Association shall be administered by a Board of Management which shall be elected every two years at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. The Board of Management shall be composed of no fewer than five and not more than eight members, and shall include a Chair, the President and a Treasurer. The Board of Management shall have the power to co-opt additional members with their consent.
b. All Board members must be Members.
c. Office bearers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.



4.1. The Board of Management shall have the power to do all things necessary to carry out and promote the objectives of the Association, except such matters as are required by this Constitution to be submitted to a General Meeting of the Association. Without limiting the powers and duties of the Board of Management, they shall include the following:

a. To make, amend or rescind Regulations for the administration of the affairs of the Association, within the scope of this Constitution;
b. To appoint Committees from among its members or otherwise for such purpose and upon such terms as may be considered desirable, and to delegate such powers thereof as may be necessary;
c. To summon, at any time, a General Meeting of the Association;
d. To open banking accounts in the name of the Association and to resolve the manner of operation of such accounts;
e. To appoint a President to run the National Office of the Association;
f. To play an advisory role in policy formulation, strategic planning, budgeting and programming;
g. To approve expenditure by the President for amounts not in the budget and exceeding ten thousand naira (N10,000.00).
h. To meet at least twice a year in order to carry out the above functions.

5. PRESIDENCY

5.1. The day to day administration of the Association shall be managed by the Presidency, which shall consist of the President and any such additional staff members as it may become necessary to engage.

5.2. The President shall be a member of the Board and his duties and responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. To work with the Board in devising policy formulation, strategic planning, budgeting and programming, and to liaise with the funders in the development of budgets and programmes;
b. Developing the membership through planning and organising events that meet members’ needs such as workshops and seminars, and travelling to meet authors’ groups, or to academic institutions, within and outside the country;
c. Keeping a register of members and collecting membership subscriptions (it shall be the responsibility of individual Members to ensure that the Association has their correct current contact details);
d. Monitoring expenditure and ensuring that the Association’s finances are in order;
e. Liaising with important national institutions and stakeholders, attending conferences and symposia and, where necessary, making presentations;
f. Organising and facilitating Board meetings, taking minutes, writing reports and circulating information to Board Members, and drafting reports, leaflets, articles, papers or memoranda as may be required for presentation by YAN or for the management and administration of YAN;
g. The President shall be accountable to the Board of Management in relation to his or her duties and responsibilities in administering the Association.


See any thing you think we need to discuss? Air it here? Article 5 - end coming up...

seunpayne: Sad to say, but we have lost focus. Politics? Seriously? Constitution? Good Idea, Bad timing. I don't want to rain on your parade but I thought the main focus was to get the word out and bring more people in? What's with the squabble for positions? Positions that will have to be relinquished once we gain focus? I'm yet to hear of a standard by which the qualification for these said positions is to be ascertained. I don't know your name, but whoever drafted that constitution was on point. I say keep up the good work.
As for the talk of a supreme power/ founder, I think you forget your place. A founder is just that; a founder. He who seeks to lead must first prove himself a worth leader. I will follow and so will most...but who? Who has proven as much? I don't concede to online rants and chest-beatings. Take no offense for no slight is intended but until we have seen and said leader has given a reason to follow...abeg bone that talk.

Finally, I keep silent because I value action a lot more than words. Of all the things we have set as goals, how many have we achieved? Nairaland is a channel but we have no where to call ours (and if I see one more facebook group ehn). We need to act. Talk is cheap. Instead of delegating positions of no concert, let's delegate tasks and have these tasks carried out. That is the way forward.
I will carry out any task I am appointed to the best of my capacity. I urge us all to do the same. This a dream. We can bring it to life.

We need to discuss the constitution before we talk of registering our association. Seems it's you who haven't really been following the thread. Politics is important because there must be people who will eventually run the affairs of this assoc....hence the necessary discussion because those people will daily affect our lives when we set off finally, get it?

DailyNews: Nice contributions from sunical & hapi-pearl, maybe from the few suggestions we have so far, there is no need for a chancelor then, at least now we are convinced it is a general agreement. Peaceworld & Emyo, pls take note and amend the constitution so we can move on. Hope u guys are having a wonderful weekend?

Please peeps, highlight your thoughts on Articles 1 - 4 as I posted it here, LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE I CAN'T DO THIS ALONE...?

sunical: What you haven't said is the qualification of the Chancellor. What qualifies him? How will he be chosen? How long is the person's tenure?

I'm still yet to see the relevance of Chancellor. As we await the opinions of others, I want to state plainly that I strongly [/b]oppose the notion of conferring a ceremonial position on a [b]single person to guide the activities of the President. How do we know such a person has the association at heart? How do we know he is keenly interested in the success of the association and not for his selfish hidden motives? How do we know? Because he initiated the idea? Or because he is passionate about the association? These are healthy doubts in a transparent platform and that's why reputable nations and associations always opt for a plurality of leaders to guide the President. A house of assembly for a nation and a board for an association.

The Board, which is a plurality of executives, should guide the association and the President. If the President is incompetent, he can be removed by the procedures of the constitution OR when his tenure elapses, a better person is voted in. Why should we leave that decision which is the monopoly of the majority as the Constitution states, to a Chancellor, one person? I mean the decision or reasoning of dictating or judging the President's activities if he has gone astray or not. Won't the Chancellor's ideas or dreams for the Association change or evolve with time? Won't members soon discover that he too has gone astray? Plurality is always the best and the Board and Constitution should handle that.

If one person cannot run the affairs of YAN, one person cannot take up a position to guide or advise the President. The President is the head and there are constitutional procedures to impeach him when he acts contrary to the mission of YAN, which will be indelibly printed on the Constitution and not on the heart of a single person called Chancellor.

As for retaining Zonal Coordinators, I support that.

Thanks.

Nice points u got here, but please look at the last constitution where I added Founder instead of Chancellor, as I said earlier, the Chancellor will be doing the same job as a Chairman...dunno if its really necessary but do you approve of the last Article 4 Version I posted? If not please highlight were you oppose and let's move over to Article 5 after settling this...

Please peeps, highlight your thoughts on Articles 1 - 4 as I posted it here, LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE I CAN'T DO THIS ALONE...?

DailyNews: Okay, nice one. Talking about patrons, they are and will be an external body that we will invite to be our advisers on certain things, and probably help with financial assistance whenever there is a need for it, and then it is not an obligation for them to help, they will only render assistance if and when they chose to. And remember, at this start, if we are able to succeed in getting any patron(s), they may not have the same passion, interest and ambition we the real owners and members of this association have presently, and they might even end up feeling that we are a burden if we try to ask for too many assistance, cos it is not their thing; because they are only a third party trying to guide us to our dream. But then, the chancelor I am agitating for, will be a member, someone who had this at heart, someone ready to go any length to see this vision come to reality, etc. The difference between his roles & that of the president is as narrated below:

1. President runs the day-to-day activities of the club, represents the association in any case that requires representation, etc. The chancelor will only advice him, guide and give him good suggestions and also ensures president doesn't deviate from the original masterplan of the association cos [b]power sometimes is an elixir [/b]and it can intoxicate if given to the wrong person, and I think this was one of peaceworld's fears why he suggested we do away with the name, president for now, I did understood him.

2. Just as we have in most countries whereby there is the president and then the prime minister who runs the day-to-day activities of the country according to the constitution without any interference from the president, only for the president to intervene when there is a dire need for that, which is mostly when there is a confusion or say when the prime minister decides to go away from the normal or dcides to act in a way that will not take the nation (association in our own contest) to its destination, so in such case, it will be the duty of the chancelor to inform the president that he is going astray, and possibly he (the chancelor) will then caution him with the backing of the constitution to act accordingly, and if the president refuses and rather insist on following his way, which at least two thirds of the entire members considers not so good, then the chancelor will have no option than to dismiss him without further consultation and appoint an interim leader to run the association temporarily, while an emergency election is held. This power will be vested on the chancelor, and it will only be used when such incident occurs. aside that, the president runs the association as the constitution stipulates. Thats just the difference, nothing more, nothing less. But if we decide it is not necessary, I have nothing hidden pls, just that I really want to make sure that this vision is brought to a reality without deviation. Lastly, I want to hear other members' opinion on this, peaceworld, uniquexty, emyo, phiozy, diamondwriter, yk, dubemkelly, aceralph, newacca, hapi~pearl, et al, pls u guys need to say something now, lets hear openly your view just as sunical had done, so that we will know that it was our unanimous agreement for this post to exist or not to exist. Before you guys comment, below are the leadership positions and structure I am suggesting:

YAN leadership structure to be in the form of a board comprising:
1. Chancelor to act as stipulated above in my write-up

2. The president as the director of affairs in the association

3. Vice president, self explained

4. Secretary, self explained

5. Treasurer, self explained

6. Publicity Chairperson to oversee any issue involving the promotion, advertising, marketing and packaging YAN to gain public acceptance and publicity

7. Public Relations Officer, P.R.O to work in hand with publicity chairperson to ensure YAN's image stays uptight externally irrespective of any anomalies. He will also act as according to its name, as the case may be.

8. Coordinators (comprising of coordinators from South-East, South-West, South-South & North-Central)- will only be there as part of the leadership board to motivate and coordinate more easily the members within their zone. I am including this for reasons too. YAN is still a todler struggling to stand and walk, so we need every available style, technique, etc to make it work. running a one central leadership without zonal coordinators may prove unproductive, at least I saw it during the time we were organizing zonal meetings, if not for the zonal coordinators, YAN wouldn't have been where it is presently. we need them to motivate people from their zone, we need them for fast coordination of activities, and they all will be under the president as they will be reporting directly to him just as we are doing now, whereby the coordinators and every other leader we have presently are reporting to me. Imagine a situation I was the only one handling the leadership, do u think we would have gone this far or even made it to this point, NEVER! So for now, we will have coordinators, I am just realizing th danger we may be facing without coordinators in the leadership structure. in order words, the coordinators will coordinate the affairs of their zone as directed by the president, and they will equally report back to him for action to be taken, therefore, they have no constitutional right whatsoever to execute action without the president's go ahead order or say directives.

Those are the positions I am bringing up for you guys to look at before we can then put it into writing. pls every member should try and say sth as regards to this from now till sunday so we can finalize on this. I am sorry for changing the positions, but its all for good, I only added the coordinators because I am seeing beyond what we are seeing presently, and imagine how it would be if we lose some of our present passionate leaders now in the course of this so-called election, and the new leaders fail to take up the numerous challenge Meditate on this before you air your opinion. Good Morning.

DailyNews, this means that the chairman of the board can also do what the chancellor will be doing...? Continuation of our current draft constitution, Article 4 is mapped out below...


4. BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

a. The affairs of the Association shall be administered by a Board of Management which shall be elected every two years at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. The Board of Management shall be composed of no fewer than five and not more than eight members, and shall include a Chair and a Treasurer. The Board of Management shall have the power to co-opt additional members with their consent.
b. The first office bearers shall be elected by the Board of Management. Thereafter office bearers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
c. All Board members must be Members.

4.1. The Board of Management shall have the power to do all things necessary to carry out and promote the objectives of the Association, except such matters as are required by this Constitution to be submitted to a General Meeting of the Association. Without limiting the powers and duties of the Board of Management, they shall include the following:

a. To make, amend or rescind Regulations for the administration of the affairs of the Association, within the scope of this Constitution;
b. To appoint Committees from among its members or otherwise for such purpose and upon such terms as may be considered desirable, and to delegate such powers thereof as may be necessary;
c. To summon, at any time, a General Meeting of the Association;
d. To open banking accounts in the name of the Association and to resolve the manner of operation of such accounts;
e. To appoint a Director to run the National Office of the Association;
f. To play an advisory role in policy formulation, strategic planning, budgeting and programming;
g. To approve expenditure by the Director for amounts not in the budget and exceeding ten thousand naira (N10,000.00).
h. To meet at least twice a year in order to carry out the above functions.

5. DIRECTORATE

5.1. The day to day administration of the Association shall be managed by the Directorate, which shall consist of the Director and any such additional staff members as it may become necessary to engage.

5.2. The Director’s duties and responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. To work with the Board in devising policy formulation, strategic planning, budgeting and programming, and to liaise with the funders in the development of budgets and programmes;
b. Developing the membership through planning and organising events that meet members’ needs such as workshops and seminars, and travelling to meet authors’ groups, or to academic institutions, within and outside the country;
c. Keeping a register of members and collecting membership subscriptions (it shall be the responsibility of individual Members to ensure that the Association has their correct current contact details);
d. Monitoring expenditure and ensuring that the Association’s finances are in order;
e. Liaising with important national institutions and stakeholders, attending conferences and symposia and, where necessary, making presentations;
f. Organising and facilitating Board meetings, taking minutes, writing reports and circulating information to Board Members, and drafting reports, leaflets, articles, papers or memoranda as may be required for presentation by YAN or for the management and administration of YAN;
g. The Director shall be accountable to the Board of Management in relation to his or her duties and responsibilities in administering the Association.


Now this talks of a directorate instead of a presidency, but if you guys want a president like the biblical people of Isreal clamoring for a king from Samuel (on a lighter note), then I strongly suggest that the President be part of the Board, even though he will be the Chief Executive Officer...that way he is always in close discussion with the board on important issues and there is, as you want, someone there (the Chairman or Chairperson?) to checkmate his actions. Hence, I am proposing that Article 4 of our constitution be as mapped out below...


4. BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

a. The affairs of the Association shall be administered by a Board of Management which shall be elected every two years at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. The Board of Management shall be composed of no fewer than five and not more than eight members, and shall include a Chair, the President and a Treasurer. The Board of Management shall have the power to co-opt additional members with their consent.
b. The first office bearers shall be elected by the Board of Management. Thereafter office bearers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
c. All Board members must be Members.

4.1. The Board of Management shall have the power to do all things necessary to carry out and promote the objectives of the Association, except such matters as are required by this Constitution to be submitted to a General Meeting of the Association. Without limiting the powers and duties of the Board of Management, they shall include the following:

a. To make, amend or rescind Regulations for the administration of the affairs of the Association, within the scope of this Constitution;
b. To appoint Committees from among its members or otherwise for such purpose and upon such terms as may be considered desirable, and to delegate such powers thereof as may be necessary;
c. To summon, at any time, a General Meeting of the Association;
d. To open banking accounts in the name of the Association and to resolve the manner of operation of such accounts;
e. To appoint a President to run the National Office of the Association;
f. To play an advisory role in policy formulation, strategic planning, budgeting and programming;
g. To approve expenditure by the President for amounts not in the budget and exceeding ten thousand naira (N10,000.00).
h. To meet at least twice a year in order to carry out the above functions.

5. PRESIDENCY

5.1. The day to day administration of the Association shall be managed by the Presidency, which shall consist of the President and any such additional staff members as it may become necessary to engage.

5.2. The President shall be a member of the Board and his duties and responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. To work with the Board in devising policy formulation, strategic planning, budgeting and programming, and to liaise with the funders in the development of budgets and programmes;
b. Developing the membership through planning and organising events that meet members’ needs such as workshops and seminars, and travelling to meet authors’ groups, or to academic institutions, within and outside the country;
c. Keeping a register of members and collecting membership subscriptions (it shall be the responsibility of individual Members to ensure that the Association has their correct current contact details);
d. Monitoring expenditure and ensuring that the Association’s finances are in order;
e. Liaising with important national institutions and stakeholders, attending conferences and symposia and, where necessary, making presentations;
f. Organising and facilitating Board meetings, taking minutes, writing reports and circulating information to Board Members, and drafting reports, leaflets, articles, papers or memoranda as may be required for presentation by YAN or for the management and administration of YAN;
g. The President shall be accountable to the Board of Management in relation to his or her duties and responsibilities in administering the Association.


What do you guys think? I think the idea is good...The Chancellor post could be renamed the Founder. It will be enshrined in the Constitution that the Founder is a life member of the board...he is the only parmanent member, to be specific...this one is good...so I can put Article 4 of the constitution in this way...


4. BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

a. The affairs of the Association shall be administered by a Board of Management which shall be elected every two years at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. The Board of Management shall be composed of no fewer than five and not more than eight members, and shall include a Chair, the President, the Association’s Founder (who will be the only permanent life member of the Board) and a Treasurer. The Board of Management shall have the power to co-opt additional members with their consent.
b. The Founder will choose the next Founder of the Association if he decides to resign or becomes incapable of continuing. Whereas he fails to do this before any unforeseen circumstances, then the present Chair will be the next Founder.
c. The first office bearers shall be elected by the Board of Management. Thereafter office bearers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
d. All Board members must be Members.


4.1. The Board of Management shall have the power to do all things necessary to carry out and promote the objectives of the Association, except such matters as are required by this Constitution to be submitted to a General Meeting of the Association. Without limiting the powers and duties of the Board of Management, they shall include the following:

a. To make, amend or rescind Regulations for the administration of the affairs of the Association, within the scope of this Constitution;
b. To appoint Committees from among its members or otherwise for such purpose and upon such terms as may be considered desirable, and to delegate such powers thereof as may be necessary;
c. To summon, at any time, a General Meeting of the Association;
d. To open banking accounts in the name of the Association and to resolve the manner of operation of such accounts;
e. To appoint a President to run the National Office of the Association;
f. To play an advisory role in policy formulation, strategic planning, budgeting and programming;
g. To approve expenditure by the President for amounts not in the budget and exceeding ten thousand naira (N10,000.00).
h. To meet at least twice a year in order to carry out the above functions.

5. PRESIDENCY

5.1. The day to day administration of the Association shall be managed by the Presidency, which shall consist of the President and any such additional staff members as it may become necessary to engage.

5.2. The President shall be a member of the Board and his duties and responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. To work with the Board in devising policy formulation, strategic planning, budgeting and programming, and to liaise with the funders in the development of budgets and programmes;
b. Developing the membership through planning and organising events that meet members’ needs such as workshops and seminars, and travelling to meet authors’ groups, or to academic institutions, within and outside the country;
c. Keeping a register of members and collecting membership subscriptions (it shall be the responsibility of individual Members to ensure that the Association has their correct current contact details);
d. Monitoring expenditure and ensuring that the Association’s finances are in order;
e. Liaising with important national institutions and stakeholders, attending conferences and symposia and, where necessary, making presentations;
f. Organising and facilitating Board meetings, taking minutes, writing reports and circulating information to Board Members, and drafting reports, leaflets, articles, papers or memoranda as may be required for presentation by YAN or for the management and administration of YAN;
g. The President shall be accountable to the Board of Management in relation to his or her duties and responsibilities in administering the Association.

Please peeps, your thoughts on this?

Diamondwriter: longtime.......
I think i wud agree with dailynews as regards the chancellor cos when we began with the election talk,i wondered within me where the initial founder's place would be...It would be good for the associatn to have a chancellor,i second that....As for the zonal cordinators,looking at it from both sides(in favour of and against),i think they both have almost equal merits nd demerits so i go for whicheva.....But if we finally agree to hv zonal cordinators,i hope there would be electnx for it also cos i wudnt want to remain one...........

I haven't been receivin any emails watsova o........
Hapi new month evry1

Oga DailyNews, understand the chancellor issue, but is there no other names we can give it? The chancellor name sounds so archaic to me, just my tot...Founder can be enshrined in the constitution and this role of 'chancelling' given to him, ke? Let's look at the constitution right now...pasting what I've done so far since Emyo and some others say they didn't receive it. Post your observations pls, so that we can close this chapter for good...


THE CONSTITUTION OF YOUNG AUTHORS OF NIGERIA, 2013.

PREAMBLE

Whereas, We the Members of Young Authors of Nigeria…
Under the Cooperate Affairs Commission Act of Nigeria…
Having firmly and solemnly resolved to Discover, Unite, and Empower upcoming, aspiring and established young writers of every literary genre in Nigeria, for the purpose of achieving our individual dreams of becoming published authors of great literary works through joint efforts of members of the association…
And to provide, for a constitution for promoting the smooth administration, empowerment and welfare of members as well as the discovery of literary talents…
Do hereby make, enact and give ourselves this constitution…

1. CITATION AND SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION
This constitution may be cited as ‘The Constitution of Young Authors of Nigeria, 2013’

This constitution is supreme and its dictates shall be binding on all persons or group of persons, any committee, authorities who are members, associate members or honorary members of Young Authors Nigeria and its affiliate components.

Any other constitution or bylaws and decisions reached by the board of management or any other body or group of persons which is inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution or section thereof shall be deemed void due to the extent of such inconsistency and this constitution shall prevail.


2. NAME

2.1 The name of the organisation shall be the

Young Authors of Nigeria

and its short name shall be YAN (hereinafter referred to as the Association).

2.2. The Association shall be an association (universitas) established under the Nigerian common law, a corporate body existing in its own right, separately from its members and continuing to exist even when its membership changes and there are different office bearers. The Association shall be able to own property and other possessions, which are not distributable to its members or associate members (or their representatives) or office-bearers, and will be able to sue and be sued in its own name. Members or office bearers of the organisation do not have rights over things that belong to the organisation. In due course the Association may decide in favour of registration using the body certified for this activity in Nigeria and in terms of the relevant laws guiding this step under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

2. GOALS

YAN will aim to give voice to the interests and concerns of all young aspiring authors and poets within and outside Nigeria, whether their works have appeared in print or not. This is Nigeria’s first national association established especially for young authors of all genres, dedicated to improving and promoting their works and their status in society, sharing information and offering advice.


YAN’s vision is to become a member-driven association aiming to uphold and enhance the profile and status of all young writers in Nigeria, through advocating for the recognition of their works and protection of their rights, in collaboration and cooperation with all stakeholders in the book value chain. YAN also aims at improving the social wellbeing of its members through wholesome and enjoyable recreational engagements proportionately spread throughout its yearly calendar.

YAN’s mission will include the following:

• To discover, unite and empower all upcoming, aspiring and established young writers (in literary genre) in Nigeria, for the purpose of achieving our individual dreams of becoming published authors of great literary works through joint efforts of members and associate members.
• To promote the recognition and fair remuneration of authors, and respect for their rights;
• To facilitate the creation, publication and dissemination of quality works by both published and aspiring authors;
• To make and maintain links with and encourage cooperation between authors and others in the book value chain.
• To promote and publicize established member authors
• To encourage and promote reading of literary works amongst young people and adults in Nigeria
• Finally, to uplift Nigeria’s image through our literary works

YAN’s goals/objectives will be in two parts:

Short-term Goals

1. To unite all talented young writers and poets in Nigeria
2. To publish a first annual anthology of thrilling short stories (compiled and carefully selected from well-written short stories, originally written & submitted by active members)
3. To also publish an anthology of poems written by members
4. To create a carefully developed and appealing website for the club, solely for the promotion of the association and its members
5. To create a Facebook celebrity/fan page for faster publicity
6. Officially register the association with a clearly-written constitution
7. Officially document/register all active members
Long-term Goals

1. Hold bi-annual club meetings and retreats
2. Engage in constructive criticisms of members’ works to assist members become better writers
3. Conduct Annual seminars/workshops on literary writing skills and techniques to assist members and other interested Nigerians in becoming outstanding authors
4. Conduct Annual writing competitions, with young people within the age of 18 to 30 as our targeted audience, for the purpose of discovering hidden talents in Nigeria
5. Conduct Annual beauty pageants as a way of promoting literature and our association within and beyond Nigeria
6. Establish a state-of-the-art publishing outfit to help publish more Nigerian writers, and to also raise fund for the association to pursue its goals and targets
7. Develop a writer’s weekly/monthly magazine/newspaper aimed at promoting literature and reading in Nigeria.
8. To promote and protect the intellectual property rights of its members and of all young authors in Nigeria, and to inform authors about their rights.
9. To promote sound professional and legal relationships between authors and publishers and to assist authors in negotiating fair publishing contracts.
10. To offer advice and assistance to authors of young works.
11. To encourage the personal development of aspiring and emerging young authors and to offer guidance in all aspects of such writing.
12. To provide a forum for debating issues of interest to young authors and to provide support and solidarity in interacting with other writers, in Nigeria and abroad.
13. To facilitate interaction, exchange and collaboration between writers across the different media and with artists in other disciplines.
14. To liaise and cooperate with local, national, regional and international bodies involved in the funding, promotion, distribution and development of writing.
15. To promote members’ publications, both nationally and internationally.
16. To promote and protect freedom of expression.
17. Vigorously publicize the association in any news and entertainment media both local and international as well as relevant online websites.
18. Initiate the organization of a yearly ‘Awards Nite,’ during which awards will be given to outstanding members of the association.
3. DEFINITIONS

In this Constitution,
a. Member means any person who is a signed-up Member of the Association as an Ordinary Member, or an Associate Member, or an Honorary Member.
b. Honorary Member is a distinguished individual, nominated by the Board, who serves as a patron of the Association.
c. Associate Member is either a group or organisation, or an individual whose objectives are similar to those of the Association but who is not eligible for membership under any other category.
d. Branch means a group of Ordinary Members who have applied for and have been granted recognition as a Branch by the Annual General Meeting of the Association. Branches can only be formed outside Nigeria. The six geopolitical zones within the country make out the six established Zones of the Association. Each zone is expected to elect three or four representatives to represent them at the official lunching of the association. The representatives shall be elected democratically, and there must be gender consideration during the election to ensure equal opportunity for both genders. To that effect, there must be at least one female representative in each zone.
e. Nigerian means a person who is a citizen of Nigeria, or a permanent resident, or who is ordinarily resident in Nigeria even if temporarily resident abroad at the time of joining.
f. Quorum means the presence of at least two-third of members.
g. Reached a quorum means that the presence of at least two-third of members shall be necessary for the disposal of any business at any meeting.
h. Pioneer members mean persons who joined during the application for registration.
i. Pioneers mean persons who co-initiated and shaped the founder’s idea towards realising the association.
j. Founder means the person who initiated the formation of the association.
k. Annual General Assembly means the association’s main summit holds ones within the period of twelve months. See functions thereafter....


3. MEMBERSHIP

a. Ordinary membership shall be open to all young Nigerian authors between the ages of 18 (eighteen) and 40 (forty) whose works could be in any language. Registration shall involve the filling of the membership form, submission of a copy of one’s drama, prose or poetry and the provision of two passport photographs, all in a brown envelop, as well as payment of the non-refundable N1000.00 registration fee or its equivalent in any foreign currency;
b. Associate membership shall be open to all Nigerian literary groups and/or writers’ organisations and to individuals of all ages;
c. The Founder and Pioneers have a Life Membership. This means that the age limit for termination of Ordinary Membership does not apply to their membership.
d. Honorary membership shall be extended to individuals subject to Members’ approval at the Annual General Meeting.

3.1. Membership fees shall be determined by a two-thirds’ majority of the Annual General Meeting at the recommendation of the Board of Management. All Members shall pay an annual subscription fee at the rate stipulated by the Annual General Meeting at the recommendation of the Board of Management.

3.2 Any Member may resign from the Association by giving one month’s notice in writing of his or her intention to do so, and upon the expiration of such notice he or she shall cease to be a Member but shall remain liable for payment of arrears of subscription or other monies (if any) due by him or her to the Association at the time of resignation.

Diamondwriter: longtime.......
I think i wud agree with dailynews as regards the chancellor cos when we began with the election talk,i wondered within me where the initial founder's place would be...It would be good for the associatn to have a chancellor,i second that....As for the zonal cordinators,looking at it from both sides(in favour of and against),i think they both have almost equal merits nd demerits so i go for whicheva.....But if we finally agree to hv zonal cordinators,i hope there would be electnx for it also cos i wudnt want to remain one...........

I haven't been receivin any emails watsova o........
Hapi new month evry1

OK peeps, shuld we scrap the zonal arrangement so dat I can fix it in the constitution...

Proposing N1000 for registration...this means all we've paid is registration...ANA's reg fee is also N1000...

Swit up: LAWD.... I've become a gone case here... See the development.. See the growth.. I may not be a regular habitue on N.L because of circumstances beyond ma control, but i appreciate all that Uniquxity, Emyo and al who appreciate YAN are doin..... Cuddles 2 u'al

Thanks...hope you have registered?

@DailyNews...thanks for the role you gave me on FB...on it right away...I see we have 123 likes...this shuld be coming out in monetary terms as arnd 100k...if we do the right thing...to begin with, we need that YAN personal account, don't you think...

sunical: Yea. Presidents are most of the times member of the Board.

Not saying it is wrong...just saying I think this is good because then the board members can checkmate him if he decides to go awry...we shold consider putting this into the constitution if we decide to go on president...ie...the president becoming a member in the board?

DailyNews: Lets go with YANDA, but meanwhile, lets wait for more response from members...@peaceworld, you are right, maybe we can put it this way: YAN shall own a publishing outfit aimed at publishing /promoting young indigenous writers in Nigeria, and will from time to time as the leadership deems fit, organise writing and talent-hunt competitions aimed at bringing out hidden talents in the area of literary writing in Nigeria, and to also promote YAN and for also achieve YAN goals, viz. YAN Tori House (you can now throw more light of what YAN Tori House is all about), ect. What do you think?

OK but YAN Tori House wasn't my idea...there's already YAN's functions in the constitution...Ithink that covers this aspect...check the constitution...

sunical: We can also look at similar well-established associations for inspiration. Check executives of these associations.

http://www.pen-international.org/who-we-are/board/
http://www.rwa.org/cs/about_rwa/board_of_directors
http://www.wga.org/content/subpage_whoweare.aspx?id=85

In Pen International, the President is in the board...is that what you are suggesting? I think this is good because then the board members can checkmate him if he decides to go awry...we shold consider putting this into the constitution if we decide to go on president...ie...the president becoming a member in the board?

Please how do we see the new constitution? Emyo, don't you think that talking of Greenland Books and YAN Tori House in the constitution limits the variety of products YAN offers to the public? I think we should talk broadly when it comes to this part of the constitution because more ideas are coming...those three are not the only ideas we can offer the public and putting them into the constitution arrests that aspect of YAN's growth...dont you think so?

DailyNews: Sir, it will just be a ceremonial post to help guide the new leadership to ensure YAN goals stay in tact and not deviated and to also ensure the passion is kept alive and to bring YAN to an enviable reality, he will only be liaison with the President or Director as we decide finally and other executives to ensure things go in order. so to say Sunical, the office will serve as a guide, just like we have in most association and even countries, because if we just abandon the leadership of YAN in the hands of the new leaders whom we are yet to know and test their capability, this vision may end up unfulfilled. Just look at it from another perspective rather than from a political perspective and u will understand why it is necessary, but if we all agree that it is definitely not necessary, then we will decide otherwise.

Peaceworld, no problem...I will do just that.

But like I told you, which Sunical too is rightfully observing now, Director wouldn't be a nice name to give to the post, why not we take Secretary General instead? All these are suggestions o pls. so I suggest:

1. President (I understand Peaceworld's stand on this, but then the constitution is there to stipulate the powers of the President and other posts, so I see no reason to panic shaa)
2. Secretary General
3. YANDA (our own unique name, meaning YAN Director of Affairs) and the vice will be AYANDA (Asst. YANDA)


What do you guys think? So far, Emyo, Peaceworld and myself have accepted the fee attached to the positions to be held, is anyone objecting and why? But this is very very necessary to show commitment and to also assist us raise fund.

Secretary General is very good...and the YANDA is revolutionary! I even prefer the YANDA...which one are we choosing so that I can fix it into the constitution?

DailyNews, the advertising role is ok but not enough for me to work on the fan facebook page...wont post any directives...promise...need a manager role...this is purely for working on the page to improve its feel as well as attracting more people to it...cant do what I want to do with just advertising role...need the manager role...it wont affect your leadership...I wont post any directive or such...that one is for you...please you need to trust me on this...the role you gave me is ok but wont do...?

DailyNews: Nice observation, but its just the name thats the issue right? Either way we chose, there must be a head to head and pilot the affairs of the association to bring our vision & goals into reality. So if we decide to change the name fine, just that I saw it inappropriate to call the head of an association a director, that was what brought about my suggesting President instead of Director, but if unanimously agree on Director, thats fine by me.

OK...think you've got a point there...but he's not the head of YAN, mind you...he's just a guy who executes all our ideas and organizes all our meetings...what of Director General?...that president thing will bring trouble...I'm telling ya...just see it coming...

DailyNews, please am not against the money they will need to pay, but I am against 'President' and 'Vice President' as an office. The constitution I've been working on talks of a Directorate...and this is good...we need a servant leader not a high office...the other officials are ok by me...what do you guys think? The constitution I sent to you guys is not yet finished, so please bear with me...still bringing in all our good ideas into it from all the zonal meetings...Emyo, don't you think that talking of Greenland Books and YAN Tori House in the constitution limits the variety of products YAN offers to the public? I think we should talk broadly when it comes to this part of the constitution because more ideas are coming...those three are not the only ideas we can offer the public and putting them into the constitution arrests that aspect of YAN's growth...dont you think so?