# YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION ## Constitution & By-Laws --- ## PART I: PRELIMINARY ### ARTICLE 1: Name of the Organization The name of the Organization shall be **YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION** ### ARTICLE 2: Interpretation Unless the context otherwise requires in this Constitution: - **"Act"** shall mean the Non-Governmental Organizations Act, No. 24 of 2002 as amended from time to time - **"Organization"** shall mean YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION - **"Board"** shall mean Board of Directors of the Organization - **"Registrar"** shall mean the Registrar of the Non-Governmental Organizations - **"Office bearers"** shall mean Chairperson, Executive Secretary, Treasurer - **"Vulnerable, marginalized, voiceless, underprivileged or disadvantaged group"** shall include youth, women, children ### ARTICLE 3: Preamble WHEREAS, we, citizens of the United Republic of Tanzania, recognize our responsibility to contribute to national development by addressing critical issues such as environmental health and widespread unemployment, particularly among youth and women, to enable them to achieve their aspirations through sustainable projects; AND WHEREAS, the organization is established to raise awareness and provide effective solutions to the social, economic, cultural and health challenges faced by communities in both urban and rural areas, acknowledging that government resources alone are insufficient to meet all societal needs; AND RECOGNIZING that the government and stakeholders have a duty to employ diverse strategies to foster a society grounded in social justice, fraternity and gender equality; **WE HEREBY RESOLVE** to establish a non-profit organization to be known as the Youth Development Organization. ### ARTICLE 4: Registration The Organization shall be registered as a Non-Governmental Organization under the Non-Governmental Organizations Act, No. 24 of 2002 as amended from time to time. ### ARTICLE 5: Head Office The head office will be based at Temeke Ward, Temeke District, Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania. P.O. BOX 167 ### ARTICLE 6: Area of Operation The Organization shall operate nationally throughout Tanzania. --- ## PART II: VISION, MISSION AND OBJECTIVES ### ARTICLE 7: Vision Statement To foster empowered Tanzanian communities with access to opportunities, skills, resources and networks in order to realize their full potential. ### ARTICLE 8: Mission Statement To support community initiatives by promoting social, economic and cultural welfare through raising awareness, advocacy, training and economic empowerment. ### ARTICLE 9: Objectives 1. To provide education on patriotism, integrity and accountability 2. To promote knowledge and awareness in the fields of health, environment and agriculture 3. To strengthen collaboration and partnerships with national and international youth organizations for youth empowerment 4. To promote advocacy, accountability and civic leadership within communities 5. To promote a spirit of volunteerism and global citizenship among youth 6. To promote community empowerment through arts and culture 7. To promote entrepreneurship skills among youth and women 8. To enhance life skills education within communities 9. To promote gender equity through initiatives that address systemic inequalities and empower women and girls in all aspects of community life 10. To support humanitarian activities, including providing aid and resources during times of crisis --- ## PART III: MEMBERSHIP AND TYPES OF MEMBERS ### ARTICLE 10: Membership Membership to the Organization shall be voluntary and open to any individual who has attained the age of 18 years and above, of sound mind and who is ready to join hands in supporting and promoting vision, mission and objectives of the Organization. **Note:** For local NGO, membership shall comprise of Tanzanians. For an International NGO, membership shall comprise of not less than three members, two of whom shall be Tanzanian founder members. ### ARTICLE 11: Types of Members There shall be three types of members: 1. **Founder Members:** Members who made the initiatives to establish this Organization 2. **Ordinary Members:** Members who join the Organization after its establishment 3. **Honorary Members:** Members who shall be awarded such membership by the Organization due to their positive contributions to the community and Organization objectives ### ARTICLE 12: Rights and Obligation of Members 1. To elect/vote and be elected/voted in the leadership of the Organization (except for honorary members) 2. Right to be heard 3. To attend General Meeting 4. Participate in all Organization activities as he/she may be required to do so 5. Receiving information of the Organization progress by any means of communication 6. To pay fees as prescribed by the General Meeting 7. To attend all meetings that require his/her presence 8. To participate in all the activities of the Organization as planned 9. To keep secret all matters and decisions of the Organization ### ARTICLE 13: Cessation of Members Members shall cease if any of the following happens: 1. By resignation 2. Expulsion for misbehavior, failure to adhere to Organization's resolutions and this Constitution 3. Failure to attend three consecutive General Meetings without reasonable information 4. Incapability to perform his/her obligations due to mental disorder 5. Failure to pay subscription fees for 2 years 6. Death --- ## PART IV: OFFICE BEARERS, ELECTION AND TERM OF LEADERSHIP ### ARTICLE 14: Chairperson There shall be a Chairperson of the Organization who: 1. Shall preside over General Meetings of the Organization 2. Be the spokesman for the Organization 3. Shall be a signatory to the bank account 4. Shall be overseer of the Organization's daily activities ### ARTICLE 15: Executive Secretary There shall be an Executive Secretary of the Organization who: 1. Shall call meetings in consultation with the Chairperson 2. Shall arrange schedule of duties in the office 3. Shall receive all letters including application letters from new members and to submit them to the General Meeting for approval 4. Shall keep all documents of the Organization 5. Shall be a signatory to the Organization's bank account 6. Shall keep records of all assets of the Organization ### ARTICLE 16: Treasurer There shall be a Treasurer of the Organization who: 1. Shall receive and keep all the money of the Organization 2. Shall prepare the annual budget and estimates of the Organization to be presented to the General Meeting 3. Shall prepare the financial records of assets, records of accounts and books of account 4. Shall prepare financial statements of income and expenditure and submit the said documents together with audited reports to the General Meeting 5. Shall be a signatory to the bank account ### ARTICLE 17: Election and Term of Leadership of Office Bearers The office bearers of the Organization shall be elected by the General Meeting among the members and hold office for a period of 5 years and may be re-elected for another term of 5 years. --- ## PART V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS ### ARTICLE 18: Establishment of the Board of Directors 1. There shall be a Board of Directors composed of the Chairperson, Executive Secretary, Treasurer and other 6 members appointed by General Meeting 2. Members of the Board shall hold the office for a period of 5 years and may be re-appointed for another term of 5 years 3. The Chairperson of the Board shall be elected by the General Meeting among Board members, while the Chairperson of the Organization shall be Secretary to the Board 4. Board of Directors shall hold meetings twice a year or at any time in case of emergency 5. Quorum shall be 2/3 of the Board members ### ARTICLE 19: Functions and Duties of Board of Directors 1. To make Rules and Regulations 2. To protect and advance the image of the Organization 3. To recruit staff 4. To participate in developing Organization's Strategic plans 5. To appoint auditor(s) 6. To convene projects to be carried out by Organization, conduct or cause to be conducted feasibility studies for such projects and submit the same for approval by the General Meeting 7. To form different committees of the Organization where necessary --- ## PART VI: GENERAL MEETING ### ARTICLE 20: Composition of General Meeting 1. General Meeting shall be a supreme organ of the Organization composed of all members of the Organization 2. Decisions in this meeting shall be by majority vote of members attending the meeting ### ARTICLE 21: Powers/Functions of the General Meeting 1. Discuss new members for admission and discipline and expel members 2. Discuss and approve annual budgets, plans, physical and financial implementation reports 3. Amend the Constitution 4. Elect office bearers of the Organization 5. Approve issues originated from the Board of Directors 6. To appoint Board of Directors ### ARTICLE 22: Annual General Meeting 1. There shall be an Annual General Meeting of the Organization held once a year 2. Notice shall be given to all members 21 days before the meeting 3. Quorum shall be 2/3 of members ### ARTICLE 23: Extra-Ordinary General Meeting 1. The Extra-Ordinary General Meeting shall be held whenever there is an emergency 2. Notice shall be given to all members 7 days before the meeting 3. Quorum shall be 2/3 of members --- ## PART VII: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, DISSOLUTION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION ### ARTICLE 24: Financial Year The Financial year of the Organization shall be between 1st January and 31st December of the calendar year. ### ARTICLE 25: Sources of Funds The sources of funds for the Organization shall be: 1. Entry and annual fees 2. Fundraising 3. Legal gifts from friends 4. Grants, donations 5. Income-generating activities ### ARTICLE 26: Uses of Funds Funds, however obtained, shall solely be applied towards the promotion of the objectives of the Organization. ### ARTICLE 27: Bank Account There shall be a bank account opened in the name of Organization. The office bearers shall be the signatories of the Bank Account of the Organization. For any transaction to be effected, there must be signatures of two signatories among the three signatories. ### ARTICLE 28: Constitutional Amendments Any part or clause of this Constitution may be removed, added or amended by the General Meeting by the majority vote of eligible voters held for that purpose. ### ARTICLE 29: Dissolution 1. The Organization may be dissolved by resolution passed at the General Meeting by at least a two-thirds majority of members eligible to vote or by operation of law 2. In the event the Organization is dissolved, all assets remaining after payment of debts shall be transferred to another Non-Governmental Organization registered under the Act with similar objectives to this Organization ### ARTICLE 30: Conflict Resolution 1. Whenever a conflict arises within the Organization, the Board will be responsible to settle the dispute 2. If the Board fails to handle the dispute, the matter will be referred to the General Meeting --- **Document Version:** Final Constitution **Organization:** Youth Development Organization **Registration:** Non-Governmental Organizations Act, No. 24 of 2002 (Tanzania) **Last Updated:** 2024