MPYRAA              

Constitution

1) PREAMBLE

  • Conscious of our responsibilities as Youths to assist the government of the Republic in her task of developing the Social, Cultural and Economic advancement for the Cameroon population to fight against HIV/AIDS and poverty.
  • Conscious of the fact that health is a major aspect for Development which when neglected may affect adversely all other sectors of the economy. Ignorance, Poverty, and low standard of living are some adverse factors that if not fought against may affect the health of the population. Eradicating these ills will improve the output of the population and will transform the environment’s socio-economic situation. This movement shall act as foundation for the alleviation of poverty and guide to health facilities and condition to the underprivileged, poor, and the rural masses.
  • Conscious of the impact of street children and the effects of Juvenile delinquency on the Cameroonian Youths and their vulnerability.
  • Conscious of the impact of academic drop-outs and the effect of illiteracy on the Cameroonian Youths.
  • Conscious of the impact of the ability of government to absorb the increasing number of qualified youths in the civil service and the effects of the unemployment on the Cameroonian youths.
  • Conscious of the impact of drugs abuse and misuse, child labour, abortion, alcoholism, prostitution and the prevalence of S.T.D’s and HIV/AIDS on the Cameroonian Youths.
    • This movement has been created to help the Government fight against these ills mentioned above.

    We decided to come together and create this movement. 

2) OBJECTIVES

  • To promote Peace, Unity and Progress amongst the Youths.
  • To instill in the Youths a sense of awareness and respect for the norms of the community and laws of the state.
  • To mobilize the Cameroonian youths in support of the fight against HIV/AIDS and STI’s.
  • To promote abstinence and fidelity in youths and couples.
  • To deliver teachings on HIV/AIDS and self-employment techniques in schools and colleges.
  • To create and run awareness centers for the fight against HIV/AIDS in our areas of operation.
  • To provide Education and training to the local population.
  • To organize seminars, conferences and public awareness talks aimed at educating both the village and urban communities on the deadly disease and promoting self-employment.
  • To sensitize and create awareness to the masses on the existence of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and it’s associated dangers.
  • To educate the population on environmental sanitation so as to leave healthily in order to avoid the risk of.
  • To provide a library where by the public can have easy access to information.
  • To provide a research and documentation unit for further analysis of our findings.
  • To encourage child welfare and discourage child Abuse.
  • To cooperate with various Divisional health posts and other Associations towards making the fight against poverty and HIV/AIDS and other health hazards become a reality.

3) LONG TERM OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES

  • To stop the involvement of youths by some political parties in acts of sabotage, riots, street manifestation and uprising for their political gains to the detriment of the youths.
  • To set up a youth Development fund (a saving and credit scheme) to provide low cost short-term capital to combat the exploitation of male youths by employers and female youths as vehicles for sexual gratification where by they can easily attract HIV/AIDS.

4) TARGET GROUPS

We have resolved to target people of all works of life since but laying emphasis on youths and women.

5) MPYRAA’S AREA OF INTERVENTION

In consideration of the structures available to us, MPYRAA’s areas of intervention shall include amongst others:
  • Houses
  • Hospitals
  • Health centers
  • Villages e.g. chief’s palaces
  • Schools
  • Family Planning Institutions
  • Maternities
  • Pro-Pharmacies
We have decided to establish this movement in Compliance with the conditions laid down by law, No. 90/053 of 19th December 1990 regulating the freedom of associations in Cameroon. This movement is registered as an ecumenical, non-political, and non-profit making movement engaged in the sensitization of youths and the general public in Cameroon to generate and promote the awareness of the Rights of the youths and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS pandemic.

6) NAME OF THE MOVEMENT:

The movement shall be known and called, Movement for the Promotion of Youth Rights and HIV/AIDS Awareness in Cameroon. It shall be abbreviated thus-MPYRAA with (M=Movement; P=Promotion; Y=Youths; R=Rights; A=AIDS and A-Awareness):
STATUS: Movement for the promotion of Youth Rights and HIV/AIDS Awareness is an ecumenical, non-political, and non-profit making movement created on the 19th February 2000. It has a balanced membership between male and female youths with the zeal to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS virus and teach every youth his/her rights.

7) HEADQUARTERS AND AREAS OF OPERATION

The headquarters of the movement shall be at Kumba, Cameroon. The postal address shall be c/o P.O. Box 322 Kumba. The main areas of operation shall cover the whole of the national territory with special emphasis on the south west province of Cameroon.

8) THE MOTTO

The motto of the movement for the promotion of youths rights and HIV/Aids Awareness is “MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO” “A HEALTHY MINE IN A HEALTHY BODY”.

9) THE LOGO

The logo of the movement shall be symbolized by a youth holding up a scale balance with the right hand symbolizing the equality between an AIDS patient and an AIDS free patient and the HIV/AIDS logo held behind downwards with the left hand symbolizing the struggle to put and end to the spread of the HIV/AIDS disease.

10) METHODOLOGY

MPYRAA shall carry out her mission through the adoption of a participatory unit within the following aspects:
  • Educating / Training of Actors
  • Follow up (Field Visit)
  • Use of media
  • Seminars, conference and workshop
  • Forms and exchange visit to reach the target groups
  • Production of magazines, information Hand Books, News letters, and Pamphlets.

11) RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATIONS

  • Collection of statistics on relevant health issues.
  • Set up libraries to keep reference materials for health researchers.
  • Provide data for National /International Organizations involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS and poverty.

12) HUMAN RESOURCES:

The major sources of intervention from the point of Human resources will center mostly on the participation of all founding members and hired skilled which include amongst others:-
  • General population
  • Women groups
  • Medical staff
  • Youth groups
  • Sanitary officers
  • Councils workers
  • Local council administrators
  • HIV/AIDS studies experts
  • Chiefs
  • Social welfare workers
  • Community Development workers
  • Teachers / Educators
  • Opinion Leaders
  • Environmentalist
  • Religious Officials

13) FINANCIAL RESOURCES

The financial resources of MPYRAA shall be as follows:-
  • - Self-financial, i.e. finance from:-
    • Annual subscription from member.
    • Registration fees
    • Group Registration fees
    • Files fees for projects
    • Sales of publications
    • Donations

14) DURATION

The file of MPYRAA shall be 99 years with effect from the date of its formation, except in case of extension or premature dissolution.

15) ADMISSION LIABILITIES OF MEMBERS:

  • Any person above the age of 15 regardless of sex, religion, and political inclination shall be accepted as a member.
  • For any decision to refuse membership to be valid, two third of the members must be present in the general meeting and the decision must be approved by a two-third majority.

16) MEMBERSHIPS

Membership shall be opened to any youth not less than 15years of age and not more than 50years of age who fulfils the following conditions:
  • Is resident in Cameroon, preferably in the area where the movement executes its missions.
  • Must be a resident of the village or area where the movement exists.
  • Must not belong to another movement/organization having similar aims/objectives as
  • MPYRAA but allowed to belong to a group with similar goals.
  • Must accept the aims and objectives, policies and programs of the movement.
  • Must be willing to show commitment and loyalty to the movement and to work towards the attainment of these objectives.
  • Must come back to present a report to the movement after attending a seminar/workshop or conference sponsored by the movement, to sensitize local branches of the activities of other similar movement/organization/NGO at National and International levels.

17) APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

The application for membership shall be made on an individual basis, on the movement’s form designed for the purpose.
  • A person wishing to be admitted into the movement shall deposit his/her application with the president of the branch to which he/she intends to become a member and obtain a receipt.
  • For members wishing to join where no branch exists the application should be forwarded to the head office at the headquarters. For action to be taken at least 5 members must initially apply at once from the area.
  • Members are admitted by simple majority votes of the Board of Trustees in which the Director shall have the casting vote.
  • (2/3) Two third of Board members must be present at such Board Meetings.

18) REGISTRATION OF MEMBERS

  • There shall be a register of members kept at the movement’s Secretariat for that purpose.
  • Members admitted shall register in chronological order. The name of the Director shall appear in it as No. 1
  • Upon admission a member shall pay a non-refundable entrance fee within a specific period as stated in the MPYRAA’s by laws.
  • Obtain membership card and saving passbook.
  • Be willing to make weekly minimum savings of five hundreds (500) francs CFA at Sunday Meetings.

19) ENTRANCE FEE:

  • Members entrance fee shall be nominal and neither negotiable nor indivisible. Their purchase and ownership shall be ascertained by receipt(s) issued against the amounts of fees subscribed for and paid-up by the members.
  • Entrance fees shall be determined by the general assembly and explained in the internal regulation
  • Entrance fee shall be 20.000 FRS, and shall only be transferable with the approval of the Board of Director.

20) WITHDRAWAL OF MEMBERSHIP

  • Any member wishing to withdraw from MPYRAA shall make known his/her intensions by a letter addressed to the board of Directors. Such declarations must be made two months in advance.
  • Within two months of declaration, the Board of Directors shall decide and notify the person concerned of its decision.
  • The board of directors shall where necessary fix the dead-line which may not exceed one year, at the expiry of which the resignation shall become effective.

21) RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

Members shall have the right:
  • To actively participate in the activities of the movement.
  • To enjoy the sponsorship of the movement to acquire training and education offered to members in seminars/workshops/conferences organized at both national and international levels.
  • To benefit from all MPYRAA assistance accorded to members of a particular branch where he/she belongs.
  • The right to attend the Annual General Assembly Meeting (AGM).

22) OBLIGATIONS

Members shall have the following obligations:
  • Upon registration, a member shall be deemed to have accepted to abide by all rules, regulations, directives, and decisions of the movement and for any of its organs.
  • Must be willing to participate in the activities of the movement.
  • To attend all weekly meetings of the movement branches.
  • Have obligations to save at least 500 FRS as minimum weekly saving.

23) LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP IN MPYRAA.

  • In the event of embezzlement, or theft of funds or property.
  • Gross misconduct and disobedience to branch Executives.
  • Insanity of a member.
  • Where a member becomes a member of another organization NGO/Movement carrying out similar aims and objectives as MPYRAA in accordance with the internal rules and regulations.
  • Professional incompetence: the executive directors and other staff shall face legal action in contravening the laws of the Rep. of Cameroon.

24) ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANS

The administrative organ of the movement shall comprise the following:
  • The Annual General Assembly (AGA)
  • The Board of Trustees (BOT)
  • The Executive Secretariat (ES)
  • The Branch Executive (BE)

25) POWER AND DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANS.

  • The Annual General Assembly (AGA).
  • The AGA is the overall organ of the movement. It shall meet twice every year and attendance for every member shall be obligatory, its duties are:
    • To adopt the minutes of the previous meetings.
    • To delegate and take decisions on matters to be forwarded to it by the Board of Trustees.
    • To discuss the annual General report of the Board of Trustees.
    • To review the activities of the movement for the last preceding year.
    • To deliberate and adopt the policies formulated by the Board of Trustees.
    • To elect the Board of Trustees.
    • To ratify all decisions of the Board of Trustees and branches.

26) THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

Board of Trustees shall meet twice a year and exercise the following functions:
  • Confirm the application of new members.
  • Discuss and issue directives on programs in progress.
  • Access the organization’s activities for the last period and make proposals for the future.
  • Fixes rates of interest on loans accorded to members.
  • Mobilizes funds for the movement.
  • Adopt the annual budget of the movement.

27) THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT

Under the patronage of the Chief Executive Officer of MPYRAA, the executive secretariat shall be responsible for the execution of the day to day activities of the movement. In this regard, shall keep appropriate of the organization’s activities and the preparation of financial statement.

28) BRANCH EXECUTIVE

The branch executive shall;
  • Examine the application of the prospective members and forward them to the secretariat.
  • Oversee the day-to-day management of the branch activities. Keep proper books of accounts of branch.
  • Study members loan applications and forward them to the secretariat as well as manage the loan accounts of the branch with the guidance of the secretariat.
  • Recommend dismissal of defaulting members to the Board of Trustees.
  • Submit monthly reports of the branch activities to the secretariat.
  • At the branch level to be responsible for the management of the branch’s account in the interest of the branch and the president, secretary and treasurer.
  • Will be subject to the overall supervision of the Director of MPYRAA.
  • Examine applications for loans to members. In case, all members of the group must inscribe their names. Sign and co-act as sureties and the request sent to the Director for cash disbursement.
  • Pre-view of loan proposals of members openly at group meetings.

THE EXECUTIVE ORGAN OF THE MOVEMENT SHALL COMPRISE THE FOLLOWING:
  • THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
  • BRANCH EXECUTIVE.

29) THE BOARD OF TRUTEES:

  • As a Youth Movement, 50% of the members on the Board shall be male and 50% female.
  • The officers serving on the board shall be duly elected by the Annual General Assembly (AGA) except the Director and the legal adviser who shall be permanent members of the board.

30) MEETINGS:

  • The board and general meeting shall be convened by the chairman of the board of Directors.
  • The notice for meeting shall be at least 14 days before date of the meeting.
  • Board meetings shall be held three times a year.
  • General Assembly meetings shall be held twice a year.
  • The Extra-Ordinary meeting shall be summoned when need arises and discussions shall be within the limits of the agenda.

31) AGENDA OF MEETING

  • The agenda of meetings shall be drawn up by the Board of Directors. Only items, appearing on the agenda shall be discussed at meetings.
  • The agenda shall include all issues notified to the members not less than two days before the General and Board meetings, in a written proposal signed by not less than one tenth of the members.

32) CHAIRMANSHIP OF MEETING

The Board and General meeting shall be presided over by the chairman of Board of directors. In his/her absence the house shall elect a chairman to preside over the meeting who on decision of the members may adjourn the proceedings.

33) VOTING

  • Voting in all meetings shall be by secret ballot.
  • Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.
  • The policy of one-man one vote shall prevail.

34) AMENDMENT:

  • Any amendment thereof, on this constitution shall be by the General body.
  • In case of amendment, any written petition shall be made to the chairman of the Board of Directors at least two weeks before the sitting of next general meeting.
  • In no circumstance, shall any one individually or severally add, squash, or mutilate any sentence, paragraph, or word in this constitution.
  • This constitution is liable to amendments and only the general assembly has the right do this to suit our socio-economic atmosphere.

35) COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD

The Board of Trustees shall comprise the following:
  • THE DIRECTOR (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER)
  • NATIONAL PRESIDENT AND ONE ASSISTANT
  • THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY GENERAL

  • SECRETARY GENERAL AND ONE ASSISTANT
  • NATIONAL TREASURER
  • PUBLICITY SECRETARY
  • LEGAL CONSULTANT
  • ORGANIZING SECRETARY
  • ONE ADVISER
  • ONE AUDITOR


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