THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

THE CONSTITUTION OF
CHRISTIAN YOUTH NETWORK UGANDA
KAMPALA, UGANDA

CONTACT PERSON- ………………………………………….

P.O. BOX.
KAMPALA, UGANDA
MOBILE . +256 (0)
EMAIL .
PREAMBLE

HAVING REALIZED that POVERTY AND UNEMPLOYMENT in Uganda

has left many youth in situations of pathetic deprivation, vulnerability and moral
degradation

NOTING THAT the most vulnerable are YOUTH, especially non-school going,
unemployed, and those affected by the scourge of Hiv/Aids,

REALIZING THAT the current job market falls short in coping with the ever
increasing numbers of unemployed youth,

HAVING DISCOVERED that our efforts are hindered by lack of financial

resources, coordination and other forms of essential support for us to effectively
empower our communities to initiate activities towards better living, and the
various forms of plight through coordinated effort as an established organization.

WE constitute ourselves into CHRISTIAN YOUTH NETWORK UGANDA

(CYNU), being a Christian organization as a means to spear head holistic
development and economic freedom of youth in Uganda.

NOW THEREFORE, we the members OF CHRISTIAN YOUTH NETWORK

UGANDA DO HEREBY set ourselves the mission and objectives detailed in this
CONSTITUTION as our supreme LAW IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE
AFFAIRS AND PROGRAMS of the said organization.

2|Page
 MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

OF CHRISTIAN YOUTH NETWORK UGANDA

THE ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

1.1 Name of Organization

The name of the organization shall be CHRISTIAN YOUTH NETWORK UGANDA

1.2 The Nature Of The organization Shall Be;

 non political

 non racial and non tribal

 for both male and female

1.3 Location

The organization’s registered office shall be located in the republic of Uganda in Kampala.

1.4 The organization is founded by………………………………………… hereinafter referred

to as the “The Founder”.

1.5 Scope of operation

The organization shall have its operations in Uganda.

1.6 Vision

To unite, develop and enable youth to lead Christian lifestyles both financially and spiritually.

1.7 Mission

Empowerment of the youth while making them realize their potential and live a meaningful life,
through education, training, entrepreneurship and spiritual growth.

3|Page
1.8 The Aims and Objectives

 To create income generating activities to benefit members of the organization.

 To create unity among born again youths in Uganda.

 To create employment opportunities among the born again youths.

 To eradicate poverty among the youths.

 To reach out to the non Christian youths in Uganda and over the world.

 To enable the organization to be recognized nationally and internationally.

 To support and promote lawful trade, locally and internationally.

 To promote leadership skills amongst youths.

 To sensitize the youths in the community.

1.9 Activities

CYNU is involved in the following activities;

1. Christian, leadership, and entrepreneurship training, conferences, seminars and

workshops.

2. Micro-finance enterprise

 Farming (poultry, piggery, horticulture, dairy cattle, aquaculture)

 Handcrafts

 Self-help projects (Sacco’s-saving scheme)

4|Page
 SUBSCRIBERS

We, The People Whose Names, Addresses And Descriptions Written Below, Are
Desirous Of Being Formed Into CHRISTIAN YOUTH NETWORK UGANDA In
Pursuance Of This Memorandum Of Association.

No. Name Designation Signature

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

Dated this ____ day of _________2013

Witness to the above signatures

Name…………………………………………………….

Address………………………………………………….

Occupation………………………………………………

ARTICLES OF ASSSOCIATION

5|Page
 CHAPTER ONE

THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN YOUTH NETWORK UGANDA

INTERPRETATION:

In these articles;

The articles will be read as, ARTICLE: SECTION

(a) “Organization “means the society, community based organization, in the names
of CHRISTIAN YOUTH NETWORK UGANDA

(b) “Seal” means the common seal of the organization

(c) “Secretary” means the person appointed to perform

the duties of the secretary of the
organization.

(d) “The Executive Committee” of the organization whose

members are the Directors of the
organization and as Such are Charity
Trustees.

(e) The Office means the registered office of the organization.

(f) Month Calendar Month

(g) In writing written, printed or lithographed or partly another and other ways of
showing and reproducing words in a visible form.

(h) Words in the singular form include the plural and vice versa.

(i) The words “PERSON” or “PEOPLE” includes the organization.

(j) Apart from the words defined above, any words or expression defined in the
Act or any change to the Act in force when these Articles become binding on

6|Page
 the organization will have the same meanings in these Articles, provided they
are consistent with the subject or context.

ARTICLE 1 THE CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT

1.1 The constitution obstinate in nature shall be the organization’s defense of law and shall have
binding force on all its members and the activities.

1.2 Without limiting the effect of article 1 section (1.1), it will be prohibited to all members in
the organization to modify the constitution except with the provision of the same.

1.3 Subject to section (1.2) of article 1, a member wishing to propose alternation of the
constitution shall;

i. Give notice of such proposal by sending it to the secretary no less than two months before
the annual general meeting giving details of the proposed amendment

ii. On receipt of the proposal, the secretary shall circulate copies of the same to all members.

iii. No amendment, additions or deletions to or from this constitution shall be made except
with approval in a proper constituted general meeting of (2/3) majority of the total
members of the organization entitled to be present and vote at the meeting.

1.4 Any person in the organization who acts unlawfully or in any means which contradicts
with this constitution commits an offence shall endure the ramifications therein or sued in
courts of law.

7|Page
 CHAPTER TWO

MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE 2 MEMBER

2.1 A person to qualify as a member of the organization shall have to be registered with a fee of
UGX 10,000. After which a member will pay UGX10, 000 as annual subscription fee.

2.2 with subject to article 2 clause 1, all new persons should have their registration fee paid to the
appointed committee by the Executive Board.

2.3 Any member ready to register has

i. To be normal, without a state of insanity

ii. To be committed and work selflessly towards the organization goals.

iii. To obey and work under constitutional direction.

2.4 Rights of a member

i. All members are entitled to know the organization’s constitution in its accordance.

ii. All members are entitled to, notice of the organization’s programs and schedules of
meetings.

iii. All members are entitled to use the organization’s symbol, label and colors legally.

iv. Each member deserves respect as regards to his/her nature.

2.5 Duties of a Member

i. Each member shall perform their activities whole heartedly

ii. Has to protect and recognize the pre-eminence of the constitution.

iii. Has to attend to all scheduled meetings and programs.

8|Page
 iv. Subject to section (i) of this article, to the Economic, Social and physical aspects,
each member shall contribute towards the development of the organization and for the
members’ benefit as well as the entire community.

2.6 Termination of Membership

i. Membership shall cease upon demise and his/her membership cannot be bestowed to the
next of kin after death of a member.

ii. Any member may voluntarily cease to be a member, giving a written notice to the
chairperson and the name of the member shall be erased off the membership register after
a prescribed period of three hundred ninety (390) working days after receipt of the notice.

iii. A member may be disqualified from being a member or from holding an office, by
Annual general meeting if it is shown that he/she has ceased to assent to the vision and
objects set out in this constitution or if he/she is proved of have been guilty of fraud or
deriving an improper personal benefit from the management of the affairs of the society.
Such a member shall be ex-communicated by a vote of the AGM.

iv. A member proposed to be disqualified under the provisions of this constitution shall be
notified and asked to attend the meeting of his disqualification.

v. In subject to section (iv) of this article, a member shall be allowed to petition within the
agreed period of time while investigations shall take place to trace the culprits. This will
be discussed in the adhoc committee meeting that will be setup for that purpose.

vi. With reference to section (v) of this article, if the resolutions above hit snag and in the
advent prove to be prejudicial, the general assembly will with no other option re-course
to courts of law for further action.

9|Page
 CHAPTER THREE

GOVERNANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION

The affairs of the organization shall be governed by legally established organs whose
descriptions of powers and functions are hereunder shown.

ARTICLE 3

3.1 There shall be An Annual General Meeting (AGM)

3.2 The AGM shall have the supreme authority in decision making of all matters of the
organization.

3.3 MEMBERSHIP ON THE A.G.M

i. The AGM shall comprise of all registered members of the organization.

ii. Powers And Functions Of The Annual General Meeting

a. Shall be the supreme authority in decision making in all matters which affect the
organization.

b. Shall determine the organization’s vision and purposes.

c. Shall determine categories and requirements of the members of the organization.

d. To consider policy and other recommendations of the Board of Directors which

require action.

e. To approve the strategic plans and budgets presented by the Board of Directors.

f. To participate in fundraising and general support for the advancement of the

programmes of the organization.

g. To consider annual field reports and audited accounts of the organisation.

h. To approve the recruitment and placement of staff.

i. To review appraisals and performance of the Executive Director and senior staff.

10 | P a g e
 j. To discipline and where necessary terminate the services of the Executive
Director and senior staff.

k. To make policies and by-laws of the organization.

l. Shall approve the appointment of auditors of the organization.

m. Shall appoint the trustees of the organization.

n. Shall have final powers to amend the constitution of the organization.

o. Shall have final powers to dissolve the organization.

p. The A.G.M shall meet once a year to be convened by the officers of the AGM. It
may hold Extra-ordinary meetings as and when the Board of Directors may
consider desirable.

q. Shall do such other things for the furtherance of the objects of the society if and
when need arises.

3.4 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

i. There shall be the Board of Directors hereinafter referred to as “The Board”.

ii. The Board shall consist of not less than five (5) and not more than ten (10) members.

iii. The members of the Board shall be appointed by the AGM for a period of five years and
shall be eligible for re-appointment for not more than two terms.

iv. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

a. Shall supervise the implementation of the policies and decisions made by the AGM.

b. Shall make and recommend policies of the organization to the AGM.

c. Shall recruit; fix emoluments of the employees of the organization.

d. Shall determine terms and conditions of service and other essential documents for the
employees.

11 | P a g e
 e. Shall discipline and where necessary dismiss certain categories of staff.

f. Shall recommend the disciplinary action of the Executive Director.

g. To present strategic plans and annual budgets of the organization at the AGM.

h. To present annual audited accounts of the organization to AGM.

i. Shall recommend amendment of the constitution of the society to the AGM.

j. Shall carry out other duties where the AGM may determine from time to time and to
perform such other functions as are permitted under the provisions of this
constitution.

3.5 THE OFFICE BEARERS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE

ORGANIZATION

The office bearers to the Board of Directors shall be elected from members of the society and
shall carry out the following duties;

i. CHAIRPERSON

a. He/s shall be elected from among society members by the AGM for a period of
five years.

b. He/s shall be responsible to the AGM, ensuring that the organization pursues its
goal, objectives and functions as defined in this constitution.

c. He/s shall preside over the meetings of the AGM and the Board after developing
the agenda with the Executive Director in achieving the organization’s mission.

d. He/s shall act as an over seer over the work of the organs of the organization.

e. He/s shall perform any ceremonial duties which the Board may call him to do.

f. He/s provides leadership to Board of Directors which sets policies and

recommends to the AGM to whom the Executive Director is accountable.

12 | P a g e
 g. He/s shall encourage the Board’s role in strategic planning.

h. He/s shall be signatory to all accounts of the organization.

i. He/s shall appoint the chairpersons of sub-committee in consultation with other

members of the Board.

j. Evaluates annually the performance of the organization in achieving its purpose.

k. He/s shall perform any other duties entrusted to him by the AGM or by the Board
of Directors.

II VICE CHAIRPERSON

a. He/s shall be elected from among members of the

Board for a period of five years.

b. He/s shall execute the duties of the chairperson in

his/her absence.

c. He/s shall work closely with the chairperson and the

executive Director.

d. He/s reports to the Board’s chairperson

e. He/s shall participate closely with the chairperson to develop and implement
office transition plans

f. He/s shall perform any other duties as may be assigned to him/her by both the
AGM and the Board.

III SECRETARY

a. He/s shall be elected by the AGM for a period of five years.

b. He/s shall be the secretary of the organization during the AGM and Board
meetings.

13 | P a g e
 c. He/s shall keep records and minutes of the AGM and Board, as well as furnishing
the members with copies of the same.

d. He/s shall handle all the organization’s correspondence.

e. He/s shall consult with the chairman and fix the agenda, date of the meetings of
the AGM and Board, and send notices of the meetings to all the members.

f. He/s shall be appointed Executive Director to head the Secretariat of the

organization.

g. He/s shall prepare and present to the Board strategic plans of the organization.

h. He/s shall be the principle signatory to all accounts of the organization.

i. He/s shall perform any other duties as may be assigned to him by the AGM and
the Board from time to time.

IV ASSISTANT SECRETARY

a. He/s shall be elected by the AGM for a period of five years.

b. He/s shall be the minute secretary at the Board and AGM.

c. He/s shall in the absence of the secretary perform only the duties and exercise the
powers of the secretary.

d. He/s shall perform any other duties as the Board may delegate.

V TREASURER

i. He/s shall be elected by the AGM for a period of three years.

ii. He/s shall be the Treasurer of the organization.

iii. He/s shall be the principal advisor to the organization on all financial matters.

iv. He/s shall receive all the funds of the organization and give official receipts for
the same.

14 | P a g e
 v. He/s shall disburse money as authorized by the Board in accordance with the
budget approved by the AGM and shall obtain proper vouchers from all payment.

vi. He/s shall ensure the keeping of proper records of the transactions of the
organization.

vii. He/s shall supervise the preparation of the annual budget.

viii. He/s shall supervise the preparation of annual accounts of the organization and
submit the same to the Auditors.

ix. He/s shall develop financial policies and procedures of the organization and shall
advise the AGM and the Board accordingly.

x. He/s shall submit a financial report at every Board meeting apart from emergency
meetings.

xi. He/s shall submit Annual Audited reports to the Board and the AGM.

xii. He/s shall perform any other duties as shall be entrusted to him by the AGM and
the Board.

VI ASSISTANT TREASSURER

a. He/s shall be elected by the AGM for a period of five years.

b. He/s shall be the assistant treasurer of the Board and the AGM.

c. He/s shall in the absence of the treasurer perform only the duties and
exercise the powers of the treasurer.

d. He/s shall perform any other duties as the Board may delegate.

15 | P a g e
3.6 CESSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND BOARD

i. A member of either the Board or organization shall be disqualified from being a

member or holding office if it is shown that he has ceased to assent to the objects
set out in this constitution, or if he is proved to have been guilty of an immoral act
and of fraud or deriving an improper personal benefit from the management of the
affairs of the organization.

ii. Failure to maintain confidentiality constitutes reasons of discontinuation of a

member from holding office on Board and membership in the organization.

iii. Any member of any governing body within the organization may be deposed from
office by a unanimous resolution passed by the remaining members of the Board
and AGM.

iv. Any person proposed to be disqualified or removed under the provisions of this
constitution, shall be notified of the meeting at which his or her disqualification is
to be discussed and shall have the right to attend the meetings and make
representation on his/her behalf.

3.7 MEETINGS OF THE GOVERNING ORGANS OF THE ORGANIZATION

i. FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS

a. The Board shall meet at least four times a year in ordinary sessions while
the AGM shall meet in ordinary sessions at least once in a year.

b. Both the AGM and Board may hold Extra-ordinary (Ad hoc) meetings to
consider urgent matters of the organization.

II QUORUM

16 | P a g e
 a. The Quorum of the Board is 5(five) voting members while that of the AGM as 2/3
or 70% of voting members.

b. In the event of a stalemate, the chairperson shall have a casting vote.

III PROXIES

a. Any member of the AGM and Board may vote by proxy. Proxies may be either in
writing, by telephone, radio or similar communication and must be delivered to
the secretary before the meeting is held and are valid for only one meeting.

b. Each member of the Board or AGM to vote and who is present at any official
meeting whether in person, by proxy or by telephone, radio or otherwise shall be
entitled to one (1) vote on each matter subject to a vote by the members.

IV NOTICE

a. Notice of the time, date and venue of any meeting of the Board shall be given
fourteen (14) working days. While notice of the AGM shall be thirty (30)
working days.

3.8 EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIAL MEETINGS

i. The Executive Director shall be the secretary and shall be a member of the Board
and AGM with voting powers.

ii. Other employees of the organization may be invited to attend and speak at
meetings of the AGM or Board but they shall not be counted as members of the
organization or the Board.

iii. Senior Government line Ministries and other special guests shall be invited to
attend and contribute ideas at meetings of the Board and the AGM but they shall
not be regarded as members of the organization or the Board.

17 | P a g e
4.10 THE SECRETARIAT

i. There shall be a Secretariat situated at the registered offices of the organization.

ii. The Secretariat shall be headed by the Executive Director who shall be assisted by
staff who co-ordinate activities of the departments.

iii. The Secretariat management team shall be responsible for executing all policies,
programmes, projects, tasks and duties as assigned to it by the Board.

iv. DECLARATIONS

Every person on becoming a member of the AGM, the Board of Trustees and staff
shall sign a Declaration accepting;

a. The confidentiality statement which binds every member to maintain

confidentiality regarding all transactions of the organization whether of
meeting, financial and of office nature.

b. The commitment statement to always uphold the vision and purpose of the
organization and declaring any matter on which one has conflict of
interest.

18 | P a g e
 CHAPTER FOUR

FINANCE

ARTICLE 4

4.1 BOOKS OF RECORDS

The organization shall keep correct and complete books and record of;

i. A list of approved registered members including their addresses at the registered

office.

ii. Members of the AGM and Board with details of the office bearers.

iii. The minutes of the proceedings of the AGM and Board having the authority of the
stated governing organs of the organization.

iv. The inventory of all the property or assets both of movable and immovable nature.

v. Books of Accounts including supporter, partners and donors with their names and
addresses.

4.2 SOURCE OF FINANCE

The organization shall raise finances from;

i. Membership fees determined by the Board and approved by the AGM from time
to time.

ii. Annual subscriptions determined by the Board and approved by the AGM from
time to time.

iii. Sales and rental of its property both movable and immovable.

iv. Donations, grants from partners, organizations, government and individuals.

19 | P a g e
 v. Bequeaths and endowment as opportunity may arise.

vi. Bank loans for investment in viable projects.

4.3 USE OF FUNDS AND PROPERTY

All monies raised from the afore-mentioned sources and indeed any property coming into
ownership and control of the organization shall belong to the organization and are held on
behalf of the organization.

4.4 BANKING

i. All monies received by the organization either by cash or cheque shall be

deposited promptly from time to time to the credit of the society in such banks as
the Board may select.

ii. The bank accounts shall be operated by three signatories, the Chairperson,
Secretary and Treasurer.

4.5 ACCOUNTABILITY

i. The Board shall cause proper and sufficient Books of Accounts to be kept.

ii. The Books to be kept in such a manner as to give a true and fair view of the
financial state of the organization.

iii. All sales, services and purchase of goods by the organization.

4.6 BOOKS OF ACCOUNTS

The books of accounts shall be kept at the registered office of the organization.

4.7 AUDITED ACCOUNTS

i. The Board shall appoint a firm of qualified Auditors to examine books of

accounts of the organization regularly, but the Auditors must be approved by the
AGM.

20 | P a g e
 ii. The Auditors shall not be members of the organization, AGM and the Board nor
staff employed by the organization.

iii. Once at least in every year the accounts of the organization shall be examined and
the correctness of the income and expenditure accounts and the balance sheet
ascertained by the Auditors.

iv. The Auditors’ report shall be presented to the Board and the Annual General
Meeting, Partners, Donors and when deemed necessary to government of Uganda.

4.8 USE OF FINANCES

The finances raised and received by the organization shall only be used for the
furtherance of the objects for which the Society is established.

4.9 FISCAL YEAR

The organization’s fiscal year shall be the calendar year.

21 | P a g e
 CHAPTER FIVE

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

ARTICLE 5

5.1 RECRUITMENT OF STAFF AND PAID EMPLOYEES

The organization shall recruit and dismiss employees within the establishment set by the
AGM.

5.2 BY-LAWS OF THE ORGANIZATION

i. The Board and the AGM may stipulate by-laws for the organization from time to
time when need arise.

ii. The meetings of the Board and AGM shall invoke the by-laws when they have
been approved and signed.

5.3 TRUSTEES AND PROPERTY

i. Trustees

The AGM shall appoint four persons as Trustees in whom shall be vested the
custody of all land, buildings and other immovable property, and all investments
and securities, which shall be acquired by this society.

ii. Term of Office of Trustees

Such Trustees appointed by the AGM will remain in office for a five year term.
At every election of the Trustees, at least two members of the outgoing Board of
Trustees would be returned in the incoming members.

iii. Roles of the Trustees

22 | P a g e
 Such trustees shall act at all times in consultation with AGM and Board relating to
assets held by them on behalf of the Society.

5.4 TECHNICAL ADVISORS

i. The AGM shall appoint 3 Technical persons to advice and handle matters of the
society of legal and technical nature.

ii. Such legal Advisors must be experienced law practitioners, well versed with
several aspects of corporate bodies. The technical areas may include the policy
framework of Uganda, educational, management, socio-economic and financial
aspects of organizations.

5.5 LOGO, STAMP AND SEAL

i. The organization shall have a Logo, Stamp and Seal of such a mode, fashion and
design as the Board may decide.

ii. The Logo, Stamp and Seal shall be in custody of the Executive Director who is
also the organization’s Secretary (BOD).

iii. The official letter and important documents of the organization shall bear the
Logo of the Society.

iv. The Stamp and Seal shall be affixed to any instrument or document binding
CHRISTIAN YOUTH NETWORK UGANDA as shall be determined by the
AGM from time to time.

5.5 INDEMNITY

Every member of the organization serving on the AGM and Board of Directors shall
be indemnified out of the assets of the organization against any liability incurred by
him in execution of his duties on behalf the organization.

23 | P a g e
 5.6 DISSOLUTION

i. The organization can only be dissolved by verdict of members taken at the AGM
called for that express purpose at which all voting members shall be present.

ii. If upon dissolution of the organization there remains after settlement of all its
debts and liabilities any property whatsoever, the same shall be deposited with the
trustees of the organization until another organization has been reconstituted.

iii. If such society or organization shall not be reconstituted within a period of one
year then the net assets shall be distributed to other existing community based
organizations.

5.7 In this Constitution the words “Society” “community based organization”, have
the same meaning and refer to CHRISTIAN YOUTH NETWORK UGANDA

24 | P a g e
 SUBSCRIBERS

We, The Members Whose Names And Addresses Are Hereunder Subscribed Are Desirous
Of Being Formed Into CHRISTIAN YOUTH NETWORK UGANDA In Pursuance Of
These Articles of Association.

No. Name Designation Signature

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

Dated this…………. day of ……………..2013

Witness to the above signatures:

Name…………………………………………………………..

Address………………………………………………………..

25 | P a g e
Occupation……………………………………………………

26 | P a g e