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ARTICLE I

Creation and Name

An independent non-profit making, non-political, non-governmental association called NETWORK FOR ECO-FARMING IN AFRICA-CAMEROON herein after called by it's acronym NECOFAC is hereby created in Cameroon.

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ARTICLE II

Headquaters

The registered office of NECOFAC shall be in Bamenda, in North-West Province of Cameroon.

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ARTICLE III

Goal and Objectives

To increase the participation of small-scale resource-limited farmers in ecologically sound, socially acceptable and sustainable land management practices, thereby improving the living standards of the local population.

 

The specific objectives designed to facilitate the attainment of it's goal are:

1. To contribute to the setting up and ensure the effective implementation of eco-farming practices in Cameroon.
2. To facilitate exchange of information experiences and achievements in eco-farming research and extension in Cameroon and abroad.
3. To solicit internal and external resources for ecofarming development in Cameroon
4. To promote small scale projects on eco-farming in Cameroon
5. To provide and contribute to the publishing of a quarterly newsletter called NECOFA News, research papers, brochures and books prepared and published on aspects of the objective, by and in liaison with the NECOFA International center.
6. To coordinate eco-farming activities in Cameroon.
7. To train farmers, extension agents, staff of NGO's, policy makers, farmers, and other institutions/organizations.
8. To act as consultants on all matters related tothe objectives and in particular, those related to agricultural development.

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ARTICLE IV

Membership

1. Those whose signatures are appended against their names as founders, having foundation membership.
2. Membership is open to any natural person and institution/organization (national or international NGO, grassroots organization) who share the same ideas of ecofarming and is willing to contribute actively in the realisation of the goals of NECOFAC.

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ARTICLE V

Funding

NECOFAC shall have financing for ist functioning from registration of members, annual contributions, donor agencies, and donations from members and the public.

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ARTICLE VI

Structure

a.The organs of NECOFAC shall be as follows:

b.The general assembly of members and delegates; the board of directors; and the general secretariat.

1. The status, constitution and functions of each organ named above shall be as follows:

The General Assembly of members and delegates: The supreme policy organ of NECOFAC shall be the general assembly of members and delegates, 3 delegates per organization of not less than 30.

-The general assembly shall meet every two years.

-The details of the internal organization shall be spelt out in the internal rules and regulations of the Network

2.The Board of Directors:

- Necofac shall be directed and supervised by a board of 7 members

- The board shall consist of a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary to board and 4 others.

- There shall be a country representative or programm coordinator who shall be the secretary of the board.

3. The General Secretariat:

A general secretariat to be headed by the executive secretary general who shall be the country representative and programm coordinator, shall be established to handle the day- to-day running of NECOFAC activities. The executive secretary General shall be assisted by a head of administration and finance, a head of projects, a head of research and training, a head of publications and documentation.

The details of the organization of the secretariat shall be spelt out in the internal regulations of NECOFAC.

 

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ARTICLE VII

Internal Rules and Regulations

The relationship between the organs of NECOFAC and the day-to-day management system of the network shall be governed by the set of internal regulations.

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ARTICLE VIII

Relationship with other Organizations

NECOFAC shall be free to affiliate and/or collaborate with any national or international organization having similar or related goals and objectives to those of NECOFAC

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ARTICLE IX

Property

NECOFAC shall be entitled to purchase, acquire, hold and own, transfer and exchange any movable and immovable property found necessary for the attainment of it's goal and objectives.

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ARTICLE X

Amendments

This constitution shall only amended by a 2/3 majority of an extra-ordinary General Assembly of NECOFAC at a meeting where the quorum shall be at least 3/4 of financially upto date members and delegates.

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ARTICLE XI

Dissolution

NECOFAC shall only be dissolved by 2/3 majority vote of an extra-ordinary General Assembly of NECOFAC at a meeting where the quorum shall be at least 3/4 of financially up to date members and delegates.NECOFAC shall only be dissolved by 2/3 majority vote of an extra-ordinary General Assembly of NECOFAC at a meeting where the quorum shall be at least 3/4 of financially up to date members and delegates.

 

Done at Bamenda June 30, 1999

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CHAPTER I

Administration and Functioning

ARTICLE I  

NECOFAC Shall comprise:

The Board of directors

The management

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CHAPTER II

The Board of Directors

ARTICLE III  Any person whose presence is deemed desirable in view of the items appearing on the agenda, may on invitation of the chairman attend meetings of the Board in an advisory capacity.

 

ARTICLE IV  The executive secretary whose presence is advisory to the board shall ensure secretarial services for Board meetings.

 

ARTICLE V:  The duties of board members shall be honorary provided that Board members and persons invited in an advisory capacity may be granted attendance allowances of an amount to be fixed by the board. The travelling and subsistence expences of Board members and such invited persons to the venue of the meeting shall be paid by NECOFAC.

 

ARTICLE VI:  The Board shall meet once a year in ordinary session. It may in extraordinary session when convened by it's chairman or at the request of majority of it's members. Notice of the meeting and the agenda must reach Board members at least 15 days before the date of the meeting.

 

ARTICLE VII:  The Board may not validly conduct bisiness unless at least 2/3 of it's members are present.

• A Board member may delegate his/her powers in writing to another member.however, proxy may not have more than two votes including his own.
• Decisions shall be taken by a majority of the members present or represented.
• In case of a tie the chairman shall have the casting vote.
• Minutes of the board proceedings shall be recorded in a register provided for the purpose and signed by the chairman.

 

ARTICLE VIII:  The Board shall have the widest powers for the management and administration of NECOFAC. It shall inter alia:

• Draw up the annual program for the use of fund
• Adopt the budget and approve the accounts
• Approve the management of the Executive Secretary General
• Authorize any purcahses, transfers and exchange of all movable and immovable property found neccessary for the attainment of the goal and objectives of NECOFAC.
• Conclude any agreement, contract or bid or borrowing on behalf of NECOFAC
• Authorize the provisions as concerns gratuities and professional allowances
• Appoint and dismiss senior staff.

The Board may delegate some ist powers to the Executive Secretary General.

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CHAPTER III

Management

ARTICLE IX  The management of NECOFAC shall be entrusted to the Executive Secretary General who is the country representative (ESG) and possibly an assistant appointed by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE X:  The ESG, shall implement the decision of the board and report to it on the management, functioning and situation of the property of NECOFAC: He shall within the framework of his responsibilities take any steps or decisions necessary for the smooth running of NECOFAC.He shall inter alia:

• Recruit, appoint, transfer, promote and penalize staff in accordance with the regulations in force, subject to provisions of article (ix) above.
• When authorized by Board, carries out any purchases, transfer and exchange of movable and immovable properties.
• Provide gurantees, and in particular mortgages on the property of NECOFAC.Submit for approval to the board: a) At the beginning of each year a draft program for the use of funds and the draft project. b) At the end of each year, the operating accounts, the inventory and balance sheet as well as the centers activity report.
• He shall be the authorizing officer of NECOFAC'S budget.

 

ARTICLE XI:  The assistant executive secretary General shall perform duties assigned to him by the Executive Secretary General who may designate any of the heads of divisions to deputize in his absense where an AESC's position is vacant.

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CHAPTER IV

Financial Provisions

ARTICLE XII  The financial year shall run from 1 July to 30th June of the following year.

 

ARTCLE XIII:  The funds of NECOFAC shall be constituted from ist activities-from annual dues paid by ist members, donations from members and non-members (individual and institutional), sale of ist publications etc. grants to NECOFAC by national and international institutions.

 

ARTICLE XIV:  The program for the use of funds shall be drawn up with due regard for the objectives of NECOFAC

 

ARTCLE XV:  NECOFAC may request for and grants loans and advances with due regard to ist objectives and strict accordance with financial regulations in force.

 

ARTICLE XVI:  The administration and finance division shall collect and centralise the funds of NECOFAC. All funds shall be deposited in a commercial bank account and other financial institutions.

• The Board of Directors shall authorize the ESG on the use of the operating budget
• The ESG shall strive for cost-effectiveness and thus cost savings without impairment of efficient realisation of projects.

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CHAPTER V

Auditing

 

ARTICLE XVII:  

• A financial committee shall be set up by the Board of Directors for financialyear.
• The finance committee shallcarry out internal audit as a means of facilitating the work of the external auditors.

ARTICLE XVIII:  In case of misappropriation of funds or movables or corruption, the concerned shall be prosecuted before the law courts and made to restitute to NECOFAC the misappropriated funds or goods.

 

ARTICLE XIX:  A tender Board shall be set up for each financial year by the Board of Directors for scrutiny of tendres which may from time to time be invited in view of contracts to be executed.

 

ARTICL XX:  The membership of both finance committee and tender Board may each compromise three persons selected from among Board members.

 

 

Done at Bamenda June 30th, 1999

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