M’MUOCK NETWORK FOR EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT (MUNED) CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE

• Mindful of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 16^th December, 1966 duly ratified by the Republic of Cameroon;
• Mindful of the Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon of 1996;
• Mindful of law No 90/053 of 19^th December 1990 governing Associations in Cameroon;
• Guided by the Cameroon and United Nations Policy on Education and Development;
• Having a strong desire and willingness to foster education and development in M’muock through research, publication, community support and sensitization;
• Proud of our love for education and development in M’muock Area;

We, researchers and publishers from the M’muock (Fosimondi) Kingdom, either by birth, marriage or naturalization, have unanimously resolved to create this Organization with Headquarters in M’muock (Fosimondi) Kingdom in Alou Sub-Division of Lebialem Division of the South-West Region, with goals and objectives hereunder stipulated.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the organization shall be:

• Promote education and development in M’muock Area through research and publication. This is to provide current and future researchers, scholars, etc., with vital information about the M’muock tribe and people, as well as other related issues.
• Support M’muock local communities through the provision of social amenities for better living conditions.
• Mobilize all local development actors in M’muock Area for local development through our research and publication activities.
• Contribute to the development of M’muock Area by encouraging all members to pay their annual development dues and organizing fundraisings and freewill donations from members for the development of the M’muock community.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• MUNED embraces members from all walks of life and disciplines and shall encourage them to group themselves into units like History, Geography, Geology, Agriculture, Sociology, Anthropology, Development, Information Technologies, etc., for research and publication in the various disciplines.
• MUNED accepts Cameroon National and United Nations Research and Publication Policies as the standard and reference documents. Thus, all researches and publications shall respect these policies.
• MUNED shall affiliate with national and international research and publication networks and shall seek to work in synergy with them, to carry out research and publications on M’muock Area.
• MUNED publications shall be mostly digital. MUNED reaches out to the world mainly through its website and Facebook page. Hard copy publications shall be limited.

CHAPTER ONE: THE ORGANIZATION

ARTICLE 1: NAME

The Organization shall be called M’muock Network for Education and Development, abbreviated (MUNED), and herein after only referred to as MUNED. It shall be a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) comprising researchers and publishers (largely volunteers) from M’muock Area, and from all walks of life and disciplines, so long as they are willing to work as a team to realize its vision.

ARTICLE 2: HEADQUARTERS

The Headquarters of the Organization shall be in Mbelenka in M’muock (Fosimondi) Kingdom. However, the Organization shall operate all over the national territory of Cameroon and even beyond.

ARTICLE 3: MOTTO

The Motto of the Organization shall be “Promoting Education and Development through Research and Publication”

ARTICLE 4: EMBLEM /LOGO

The emblem of MUNED shall be round with the name M’muock Network for Education and Development and the initials ‘MUNED‘ written on it and shall contain a laptop and a book, symbolizing research and publication, as well as two hands greeting each other, symbolizing networking.

ARTICLE 5: VISION

The Organization has the vision to become the reference point for Research and Publication in Lebialem Division, especially by means of a DIGITAL LIBRARY that will be accessible to researchers, publishers, institutions and governments all over the world.

ARTICLE 6: STATUS

MUNED shall have a legal status of a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) governed by law No 90/053 of 19^th December 1990 governing Associations in Cameroon.

ARTICLE 7: DURATION

MUNED shall have a lifespan of ninety nine (99) years, renewable by the decision of the members.

ARTICLE 8: SPHERE OF OPERATION

The Headquarters of the Organization shall be in M’muock (Fosimondi) kingdom of Alou Sub Division in Lebialem Division of the South-West Region of the Republic of Cameroon. This is however, subject to change.

Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1 above, branches may be created in other regions of Cameroon and the Diaspora.

The association shall operate throughout the national territory of Cameroon and beyond.

The Organization shall promote the education and development of M’muock people and tribe through research and publications. It shall engage in Research, Publishing, Community Support, Sensitization and Networking.

ARTICLE 9: FINANCES

The Organization shall rely on the following sources for funding for its activities:

• Registration fees from members.
• Compulsory contributions when the need arises.
• Fundraising
• Freewill donations from members and other donors.
• Grants and donations from other organizations or individuals.
• Leftover funds after social events.
• Interest on the Organization’s Savings and Deposit in financial institutions.

The organization’s finances shall be kept in a suitable bank.

ARTICLE 10: MEMBERHIP

MUNED membership shall be open but restricted only to M’muock people with valuable knowledge in the area of research and publication and who have been identified as “Researcher or Publisher”. Membership card shall be given to members upon payment of membership fees of 20.000 FCFA.

The founder of the organization are:

ARTICLE 10: MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

To become a member one must:

• Identify oneself as a researcher or publisher.
• Pay a non-refundable registration fee of Twenty Thousand (20,000) francs.
• Annually renew his or her membership with Ten Thousand (10,000) francs, if a non student, and five thousand (5,000) francs if a student. This must be done before the end of the calendar year.

Membership of the Organization shall be lost in the following cases:

• Non Payment of membership fees
• Voluntary withdrawal through a hand written application to the Coordinator, who shall then table it to the General Assembly for discussion and approval.
• Death
• Dismissal due to poor conduct and disrespect.
• Non Participation in the activities of the Network for a reasonable period.

N.B. Loss of membership means loss of all fees and dues paid.

ARTICLE 11: MEETINGS

• Most of the Organization’s meetings and interactions shall take place on social media – Facebook, WhatsApp, the Association’s Website and other means of communication deemed necessary.
• The General Assembly (GA) shall meet at least once every year.
• Extraordinary meetings may be called whenever the need arises. Where this is the case, the date and venue shall be widely publicized.
• Any issue of serious disagreement in a social forum or GA shall be resolved by a simple majority vote. In the event of a tie, the Coordinator shall have a casting vote.

CHAPTER TWO: ORGANS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

ARTICLE 12: THE ORGANS OF MUNED

The association shall consist of the following organs:

• The General Assembly (MUNED-GA)

The GA is the supreme organ of the organization and shall comprise all the members of the organization. Eligibility shall be based on one’s identification as “Researcher or publisher”, the willingness to work with the organization, and payment of the registration fee.

• The Executive

The Executive shall comprise the following;

• Coordinator
• Assistant Coordinator
• Secretary
• Financial Secretary (who shall double as the Treasurer)

ARTICLE13: FUNCTIONS OF THE ORGANS

• The General Assembly Shall
  • Vote the Executive of MUNED.
  • Admit new members.
  • Dismiss members.

• The Executive shall run the daily activities of MUNED. Their term of office shall be two years renewable.

CHAPTER THREE: MODE OF OPERATION

ARTICLE 14: MUNED ACTIVITIES       

MUNED shall carry out the following activities:

• The creation of social media groups such as whatsApp and Facebook, as well as a Website and any other internet-based communication means that may become available in the future, to reach the public. The Organization shall massively use the internet to promote its activities.
• Research and Publication concerning M’muock in particular and the national territory of Cameroon and beyond.
• Networking with local development actors in M’muock Area for the development of the Area.
• Networking with national and international organizations in Cameroon and abroad to foster education and development in M’muock Area.
• The establishment of a research and publication centre for researchers and publishers in M’muock Area as well as online.
• The organization of sensitization seminars and conferences for both M’muock people and the Cameroonian public.
• The provision of financial and material assistance to the needy in the M’muock community.

CHAPTER FOUR: ELECTIONS

ARTICLE 15: ELECTIVE POSITIONS

Elective positions shall consist of the Coordinator, the Assistant Coordinator, the Secretary and the Financial Secretary who doubles as the Treasurer.

ARTICLE 16: ELECTION PROCEDURES

Election procedures shall be as follows:

• Prospective candidates for election into the MUNED Executive Offices may reside anywhere in the country.
• Candidates going in for MUNED Executive Offices must submit their candidature to the MUNED-GA for scrutiny and approval. The criteria for judgment shall include participation, contributions, public image and dedication to the goals of the Organization. After approval, candidates shall make known their intentions via texting, audio/video to the Association’s whatsApp forum and/or Facebook page, or group message.
• Elections shall be free and fair and shall be carried out during GA meetings or via an open online voting system which will be put in place by the Secretariat. Elections shall be won by a simple majority.
• The executive tenure of office shall elapse after two (2) years and can be renewable.
• Any outgoing executive member who is interested in another term shall be required to submit his or her name to the General Assembly for scrutiny.
• Elections shall take place in the month of January.

CHAPTER FIVE:  FUNCTIONS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS

ARTICLE 17a: FUNCTIONS OF THE COORDINATORS

• They shall oversee the daily running of the Organization.
• They shall convene and chair GA meetings.
• They shall be signatories to the Organization’s bank account.
• They shall compile the list of prospective new members and submit to the GA for approval or rejection.
• They can delegate some of their functions to other members of the Organization.

ARTICLE 17b: FUNCTIONS OF THE SECRETARY

• He/she shall take minutes during all MUNED meetings.
• He/she shall keep all the administrative files of the Organization.
• He/she shall work with the Coordinators to convene and run Executive and the General Assembly meetings.

ARTICLE 17c:  FUNCTIONS OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY

• He/she shall receive contributions from members.
• He/she shall keep the financial records of the Organization.
• He/she shall be a signatory to the Organization’s bank account.
• He/she shall present financial reports during Executive and the General Assembly meetings.

CHAPTER SIX: DISCIPLINE

ARTICLE 19: DISCIPLINARY MEASURES

• In the event of a contravention of the rules of MUNED by the Coordinator(s), he/she shall lose all coordinating powers and become a mere GA member.
• In case of misappropriation of funds, the guilty official may be given some time to pay back the misappropriated funds but where all reasonable measures cannot get him/her to pay back the said funds, legal actions may be taken.
• Members guilty of crimes such as disrespect of other members, use of vulgar, wrong or abusive language, may be punished with suspension. This will include temporary suspension from the WhatsApp forum, and being barred from carrying out any activity in the name of the Organization.
• All sanctions shall be made public in MUNED chat forums and whenever genuine repentance can be ascertained by the MUNED members, the said member on sanction can be readmitted.
• Behaviors not specifically punished by the constitution shall be discussed by the General Assembly and the penalty adopted shall be binding on all.

CHAPTER SEVEN: AMENDMENT

ARTICLE 19: AMENDMENT PROCEDURES

This constitution shall be amended only by a decision of the GA.

1. A Bill/Motion shall be submitted to the GA for vote by either the coordinators or by individual members.
2. 70 % vote of those in attendance, and in favour of a change, will necessitate an amendment of the clause(s) in question
3. A debate shall take place before voting is carried out.

CHAPTER EIGHT: DISSOLUTION       

ARTICLE 20: DISSOLUTION PROCEDURES

• The decision to dissolve the Organization shall be taken in respect to:

1. Bankruptcy
2. A technical report showing that the Organization no longer operates
3. A technical report that shows that the Organization has successfully outlived its usefulness.
4. Recommendation of competent Cameroonian authorities.

• Upon dissolution, the assets of the Organization, if any, shall be auctioned by competent Cameroonian authorities and the proceeds shall be used for the development of our cherished Kingdom (Fosimondi).
• Upon dissolution, the liability of the organization shall be shared equally amongst current members.

CHAPTER NINE: FINAL PROVISIONS

ARTICLE 25: FINAL PROVISIONS

1. This constitution shall be published in soft copy and such copies made available to members via the Organization’s Website and other social media links.
2. This constitution remains the supreme law governing MUNED and it is above all other laws and or by-laws.
3. The preamble provisions shall form an integral part of this constitution.

This constitution has been established and unanimously adopted by the Constituent Assembly of members as the working document of MUNED and shall remain so until any subsequent amendment by a General Assembly Meeting, and by a two third majority of voters.

DONE IN MBELENKA ON THE 12^TH DAY OF MAY, 2018