₦airaland Forum

Gudmorning everyone,hope we slept like babies.I know what I want to say might not be necessary or might be a derail but I really beg to be pardoned.what I want to talk about is opinion and how we should look at and take it as far as YAN is concerned.In every organisation or sector every individual is entittled to his or her opinion and has the right to voice out what he or she feels about any issue or topic.let's try to accomodate members opinion no matter how harsh they could be.If a member makes a suggestion or an opinion that is probably not wholesome I think the best thing to do is to make such person understand the reason we are doing what he probably frowns at NOT nuturing in our minds that such person is trying to ferment trouble or go against YAN.am sure every member of YAN wants the growthh of it.We are all from different backgrounds and environment hence our perspective might differ{hence the need for mutual understanding}the idea of this persons opinion is so because he's trying to cause trouble just shouldn't be there because that's how dis unity creeps in,and let's not expect that every body will say yes to any suggestion raised{that's why opinions count}and an organisation where people just want to fold hands and watch without making meaninful contributions or suggestion is bound not to be successful,as seen in our country{nigeria}bottomline is please and please let's try to uphold our opinion in YAN and not read wrong meanings into it,because am very sure that is one way dis unity would creep in,I just hope we understand my point.Thank U and I hope with this few points of mine I have been able to convince and not to confuse you,that YAN rocks

Peaceworld: 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……………………………………………………….

LIKED”

Emyo: Seunpayne. Pear-hapi and itbomb. Hmmmmmm hm. Okay o.

smilling ear to ear

Oooh now I get all the gist,av never really heard of a guardian of a president in whatsoever angle\sector.the word president defines someone who is head and is in charge of an organisation,such a one is answerable to no one but equal to he's executives and also surbodinate to the constitution guiding such body.as I was made to understand,the only guardian or over all seer of a president of an organisation is the constitution which he is surbodinate to!let's take the country as an example•the president is from a political party and he has a person known as the chairman as major and recognised head of the party but that doesn't mean the chairman of he's party oversees how the president runs and carry he's followers•if that must be done even it has to be an inhouse thing eg during the general executive meeting•theres really no need for any special recognition of an overseer of the president{never heard of such}maybe it exists but with my research its really a no no