DRAFT  CONSTITUTION 

 ARTICLE 1: NAME AND DOMICILITY OF THE COMMUNITY

The organization shall be known officially as Akwa-Cross Community Finland Ry (ACCF), registered in Helsinki.

It shall also be referred to as a Community where appropriate.

Its acronym, ACCF, shall also be used where necessary.

The organization?s headquarters shall be in Helsinki, the capital city of Finland.

Networks of affiliations shall be established all over the country and around the world.

A: Formation and Purpose:

The Community was officially formed in Helsinki, 5th of December, 2004.

The Community comprises of indigene/families of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States in Nigeria.

This organization is formed for the purpose of promoting unity among Akwa Ibom and Cross River State indigenes in Finland, create a forum to participate in meetings, multicultural activities and be better informed citizens ready to influence positively the way we perceive ourselves and are perceived by the world at large.

B: Address

 All correspondence with the organization shall be made to the registered address.

C: Language:

The meetings of ACCF shall be conducted in English, Efik or  Ibibio as the need arises.

ARTICLE 2: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To advance the image of Akwa - Cross indigenes and the values of their cultures (in Finland).
2. To encourage the children of both States origin to learn the language and be familiar with the cultures and arts of their forefathers.
3. To supports its members in every way possible in times of needs.
4. To cooperate with and support bona-fide Nigerian Associations in Finland.
5. To collaborate with other Akwa-Cross communities abroad in activities that promotes our cultural interest.

ACCF shall be independent, non-political and non-profit seeking organization.

In the process of trying to achieve its aims and objectives, the Community may solicit and receive donations, legacies and seek for support from other organization or well to do individuals that share our objective.

ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP

A:  FULL MEMBERSHIP

An indigene is eligible or considered to be a full member of Akwa-Cross Community Finland on completing and fulfilling all as stated below;

1. An indigene of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States of Nigeria or family related either by assimilation or Community.
2. Obtain and fill a registration form and this can be obtained from the community unofficial website ? http://www.mamut.com/akwacross.
3. Must pay his/her registration and membership fees to the community.
4. Must attend an introductory meeting.

B: FEES

1. Every individual above 18yrs shall pay a registration fee of 10? Euros (only once) upon registration.
2. An annual Membership fee for every individual shall be 30? Euros.
3. The annual fee shall be collected from members: January 1 ? April 30 every year. Thereafter, a penalty of 20? will be applied to a defaulting member.
4. Any other fees are subject to approval by the general house of all members present in a general meeting of the community.
5. Members with voting rights will not exercise the right to vote if the annual fee is not fully paid up.

C: OBLIGATIONS

All members shall endeavor to:

1.      Promptly attend and contribute actively in all the meetings of the Community.

2.      Project a positive image of and for the Community.

3.      Volunteer as much as possible in all the Community?s activities.

4.      An individual member shall take full legal responsibility for any misconduct or action taken by him or her.

5.      No member either singly or in concert with others shall make any commitment on behalf of the Community or spend its money without due authorization. 

      In case they do, the members of the Community shall repudiate the transaction and shall require the member(s) to take responsibility of their action(s) and to indemnify the Community against all liabilities arising from their actions.

 D: CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP

An individual ceases to be a member if:

1.      He or she resigns in writing.

2.      He or she acts in breach of the Community?s Constitution.

3.      The Community ceases to exist or becomes insolvent.

?Please note that no person upon cessation of membership of the Community has any right to any share of the property of the Community save for any monies or merit owed for work carried out on behalf of the Community or loaned to it for any purpose - such monies or credit being payable by the Community thirty days after the cessation of membership.?

ARTICLE 4: GENERAL MEETINGS

 1.    General Meetings shall normally be held monthly and all members of the Community shall be notified about the date and the time of the meeting at least one week in advance except in the case of Emergency meeting where a Special Resolution is to be considered, in which case notification of the meeting and the text of any Special Resolution to be considered shall be given in writing at least three days prior to the date of the meeting.

2.    The purpose of a General meeting is to receive information about the running of the Community, to discuss issues raised by the Community or by board members and to form and develop the policies of the Community. Any board member wishing to propose any matter at a general meeting should give at least a two days? written notice to the General Secretary giving details of his/her proposal. Such members will - when proposing a matter at the general meeting - require two supporters for formal proceedings to follow suit.

3.    The quorum for a General Meeting is at least one tenth of all registered members and least two members from the Executive Board should be present.

4.    Decisions are made by majority vote. In the event of any equality of votes the decision shall be the casting vote of the Chairman.

ARTICLE 5: SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS

Any resolve intended to change the Constitution of the Community or the membership of the Council between General Meetings or cessation of membership shall be regarded as a Special Resolution.

?A Special Resolution must be supported by at least three quarters of those present and are entitled to vote.?

ARTICLE 6: ABSENTEEISM

       1.  Any member who absents himself or herself for three (3) consecutive times in the Community?s meetings will receive a caution. Further absenteeism will attract being expelled

       2.  An Administrative board member shall notify the Secretary of his/her  inability to attend a scheduled meeting and such a member is required to forward his/her comments, ideas, and suggestions on the proposed agenda by mail to the Secretary at least 2 days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE 7: THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

A: ELECTED POSITIONS

The following shall be the officers of the Community and will be members of the executive board: 

(i)          President, 

(ii)        Vice President

(iii)      General Secretary

(iv)      Financial Secretary

(v)        Publicity Secretary.

B: CRITERIA FOR POSITIONS

1. A 3-year residence permit or permanent residence in Finland is required.

2. Minimum educational qualifications (a diploma) and background to perform the functions of the office. Individuals without such qualifications but have the experience are welcome for positions of assistantship.

3. They must have paid up all dues to ACCF.

4. They should not have a criminal record before and they have not disclosed that at the time of appointment, such non-disclosure will lead to prosecution by relevant authorities. If they get a criminal record during tenure of office, they must resign immediately from the position.

C: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

     1.  THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

(i)                 The executive committee shall identify projects, ideas and the needs of the members and present that to house during a general meeting.

(ii)               The executive committee shall report to the general house of ACCF at meetings

(iii)             The executive committee is in particular required to ensure that the finances of the Community are properly managed and that accurate records of all transactions made by the council are maintained.

(iv)             The executive committee shall ensure that all official documents issued by the Community are signed by at least the two authorized signatories.

(v)               The executive committee shall make its decisions by consensus. Two thirds or three members of the executive committee may participate in decision making. In the absence of consensus on any issue, the issue in question should be put-off to the next General Meeting of the Community for discussion and decision.

2.      THE CHAIRMAN

(i)                 He or she shall act as the official head of the Community.

(ii)               The Chairman may handle all matters pertaining to the Community.

(iii)             He or she shall supervise and coordinate all activities of the Community in   concert with the executive members.

(iv)             He or she may delegate power provided that such delegation does not - in the opinion of the majority of members of the Community - amount to incompetence.

(v)               He or she shall carry out such other duties as may be assigned to him or her.

(vi)             He or she shall work in cooperation with all the members of the Community. 

      3.  THE VICE CHAIRMAN

(i)                 He or she shall assist the Chairman in running the affairs of the Community.

(ii)               He or she shall take charge in running the affairs of the Community in the absence of the Chairman

(iii)             He or she shall be the head of all sub committee created in executing any project or functions as agreed in the General meeting.

     4.  THE GENERAL SECRETARY

(i)                 He or she serves as the scribe for the Community meetings and he or she is the custodian of its records.

(ii)               He or she facilitates all meeting arrangement.

(iii)             He or she shall keep an up-to-date register of the members of the Community.

(iv)             He or she shall give due notice of meetings of the Community and distributes agendas in advance for the meetings of the Community.

(v)               He or she shall ensure that a proper record of the General Meetings and all resolutions of the meetings are kept.

(vi)             He or she shall prepare agendas for all general and executive board meetings.

    5.  THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY

(i)                 He or she shall manage the Community?s financial affairs.

(ii)               He or she shall keep an up-to-date financial record of the Community.

(iii)             He or she shall receive and collect all monies of the Community.

(iv)             He or she shall maintain adequate and appropriate records of all receipts of both come and expenditures of the Community.

(v)               He or she shall present quarterly financial statements to the executive board.

   6.  THE PUBLICITY SECRETARY

(i)                 He or she shall be in charge of media issues and any information meant as publicity and advertising for the Community

(ii)               He or she shall act as a flag bearer of the Community in Media relations and in day-to-day interpersonal relations with both members of the Community and outsiders, projecting a good image of the Community to the outside world

(iii)             He or she shall on the advice and direction of the Executive Board coordinate and plan all social gatherings and public-related events with the Vice Chairman.

ARTICLE 8: TENURE OF OFFICE

         1. All executive board members shall hold office for a one- year term, after which they may be re-elected.

2. All members of the executive board shall be ineligible for re-election to a particular position after one consecutive terms in the same position. However, such a member is eligible for another position on the executive board if he or she so desires and makes it known.

   3. During the term in office, if any elected member to any office is found incompetent or acts in breach of the Constitution he or she may either be cautioned or lose the position as decided by the House in a General Meeting.

ARTICLE 9:     SIGNATORIES AND FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS

 A.  ACCOUNTS AND SIGNATORIES

(i)                 The Community shall maintain and may operate one bank account. The bank account shall be the account where all incoming money is paid in for immediate and future projects or activities of the Community.

(ii)               The accounts shall require ONE signatory of the designated administrative members in opening, depositing, and withdrawing money for financial transactions on behalf of the Community.

(iii)             The official signatories are the Chairman, and the Financial Secretary.

(iv)             All transactions have to be approved by a written mandate from the executive board. And at least TWO other full financial member.

B.   PAYMENTS

(i)     Bills shall be written in the name of the Community for work accomplished and payment shall be made by bank transfers, and records shall be duly kept.

(ii)   A member must pay any money he or she owes the Community by the due date unless he or she has made alternative arrangements with the executive board.

(iii)  No individual member may receive any payment from the Community except as fees, wages, bonuses, pension contributions due to the individual member for work carried out for the Community or on its behalf or as repayment for any expenses incurred on such work or as repayment of loans made by an individual member to the Community.

 ARTICLE 10:     DISCIPLINE

Any member who infringes on any of the provision of this Constitution in any manner that warrants sanction or brings the name of the Community into disrepute shall be liable to disciplinary action by a decision made by the executive board and approved by the majority at a general meeting.

A member may be suspended or expelled on account of inappropriate behavior or for not abiding by the rules and guidelines governing ACCF. The decision to suspend or expel a member shall rest on the majority resolution during a general meeting. Where the issues cannot be resolved in the general meetings with diplomacy, the matters shall be referred to the Finnish authorities since ACCF is a registered entity under Finnish law.