NAME AND IDENTITY
Article 1:
This organization shall be known as INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL INSTITUTE OF AFRICA-, Hereby referred to as ICIOA
It shall be a non-governmental/non-profit making devoid of political characteristics.
It shall serve as the regional headquarters for the whole of Anglophone and francophone countries.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
ARTICLE 2
The following are the objectives of the ICIOA:
Promoting the study, acceptance of knowledge Management in Africa by using strategies of research, training and sharing in local communities.
Strengthening the involvement of leaders especially traditional rulers, individuals and civil society in particular in all programs of the institute.
Assist in the effective networking with organizations in Africa and worldwide in order to learn how to solve Africa’s problems e.g. we can learn from Asia on development in ICT and appropriate technology.
To create a platform where Africans in the diaspora can contribute their knowledge to help in the development of the continent through their knowledge and resources.
To advocate that regional organizations like the African Union, SADC, COMESA, ECOWAS use knowledge management as a tool of sustainable development on the continent.
Procuring, developing and using indigenous knowledge to solve common problems.
Knowledge Sharing for Community development, through the use of community centers where information designed to target vital areas, like poverty and health could be addressed.
Intellectual Property Rights of indigenous communities could be addressed.
AREA OF ACTIVITY
ARTICLE 3
The activity of the organization shall be located throughout Africa, but the International Headquarters will be located in Accra-Ghana.
MEMBERSHIP
Who can be a member?
A local association, either rural or urban, formed by people to meet human developmental needs or organizations formed by others working directly with Local communities. ICIOAs places emphasis on having members who are directly involved with grassroots communities.
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
ICIOA membership is in three categories, which are:
- General Members
These are community-based organizations, Non-governmental organizations, micro, small and medium entrepreneurs
- Associate Members
These are collaborating institutions, professional bodies, networks and associations like research and academic institutions.
- Honorary Members
These are individuals who are interested in ICIOA’s activities and share the same vision and values.
STRUCTURE
- International Committee
There shall be an international committee comprising of all the member s globally of ICIOA
There shall be an administrative executive committee of ICIOA, which shall consist of:
(a) The Executive Director
(b) Director of Programs
(c) Director of Communication
(d) Director of Finance
And junior office staff.
ARTICLE 5
The International Committee whose main work is advisory shall provide such advice on policy and other general help in the progress of the organization.
The international Committee shall meet at least once in a year to deliberate on issues of the organization.
ICIOA shall appoint national executive committee members in each country where chapters of the organization are established.
Their work shall be mainly advisory; they shall offer any advice that will help to the smooth running of the organization, provided such advice is not against the aims, objectives and general policy of the organization.
DUTIES
ARTICLE 6
The Executive Director: shall preside over all meetings of the organization. He or she shall run the day-to-day businesses of the organization.
The Director of Programs: shall study and propose to the organization on the development of programs for the progress of ICIOA
The Director of Finance: shall in collaboration with the executive secretary manage funds, prepare budgets and prepare financial reports to be submitted to the members of the executive committee yearly.
OTHER OFFICE STAFF
Shall be employed to help generally in the day to day running of the organization.
FINANCE
There shall be two bank accounts (Ghana Cedi and US Dollar) for ICIOA in Accra, Ghana into which all monies for ICIOA shall be paid.
The organization may derive its finances from:
- Voluntary contributions or donations from international organizations provided no conditions are attached which is in conflict with the organizations policy or the letter and spirit of the constitution.
- Membership dues
SIGNATORIES
ARTICLE 8
Two of the following executive members shall be signatories to ICIOA accounts: The Executive Director and the Director of Finance.
RENUMERATION
ARTICLE 9
Depending on the funds available, the executive members mentioned in article 7 shall be remunerated according to their qualifications and duties assigned to them.
MEETINGS
ARTICLE 10:
There shall be executive meetings once every three months at (ICIOA) office or any other convenient venue.
There shall be an annual general meeting to be attended by both the executives and ordinary members of the organization.
VOTING
ARTICLE 11
For any matter to be voted upon, each member with voting rights shall be entitled to one vote. In case of a tie the executive Director shall have a casting vote. Voting shall be conducted by a simple majority rule of members present and voting at a meeting.
QUOREM
ARTICLE 12
One third of the total executive members shall constitute a quorum at all meetings.
Amendments to the constitution can only be made by the approval of at least two thirds of the executive members.
REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
ARTICLE 14
The national executive members may remove from office any officer whose acts is are seen to run contrary to the aims and objectives of the organization.
REFERENCE
ARTICLE 15
In the case of any information or issues not thoroughly discussed, ICIOA will continue to be guided by the international Committee of ICIOA and the relevant legislation in force concerning non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
AMENDMENTS:
ARTICLE 16
All or any of the articles or sections of the constitution may be changed, deleted added to or otherwise amended by the national executive committee in consultation International advisory board. Amendments to the constitution can only be made by the approval of at least two thirds of the national executive members also in consultation of the international advisory board.
APPLICATION
ARTICLE 17
This constitution shall be binding on all members of the organization.
COMMENCEMENT
ARTICLE 18
This constitution shall come into effect this 30th day of April two thousand and eight