PARENTS OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH DISABILITIES AND PWD, S SUPPORT GROUP

P.O BOX 115

MARAGOLI
CHAPTER ONE
SOVEREIGNTY OF THE MEMBERS AND SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 1: SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION

a. This document is hereby adopted as the constitution of parents of children living with disabilities and
PWD ‘S support group
b. This constitution is the supreme law of parents of children living with disabilities and PWD’S support
group and binds members at all levels
c. A law that is inconsistent with this constitution is void to the extent of its inconsistency and any action
or omission in contravention of this this constitution is invalid

CHAPTER TWO: PARENTS OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH DISABILITIES AND PWD’S

SUPPORT GROUP
Article 2: declaration of the self help group

The self help is found in the principles of discipline, hard work, cooperation, involvement and participation,
flexibility, accountability and openness and mutual respect

The group works wholesomely inHamisi sub county Vihiga County

Article 3: project objective

1. To empower economic welfare of persons living with disabilities

2. Education sensitization to parents of children living with disabilities

CHAPTER 3: MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP

1. To qualify one must be a person living with disability or having a child living with disability
2. Individual group member should be registered with NCPWD and be issued with certificate of
registration (child or self)
3. Registration for membership is kshs.500

Article 5 Rights of members

a. Every member is entitled to;

I. The privilege and membership subject to the limits set out in this constitution
II. Vote
III. Vie for a post in the support group subject to provisions this constitution
b. Every member together with others making up majority of the total membership is mandated to vote out
executive committee or any member on office bearers in acceptance with this constitution
c. In case of an assignment involving money is to be undertaken by the group, members shall be given
first priority and they shall be paid all allowances and NOT salaries

ARTICLE 2 : RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS

 a. All members are obligated to ;
I. Respect, uphold and defend this constitution
II. Promote unity, good leadership and rule of law in and out of group
III. Desist from any act of hooliganism , corruption, fighting , unruly/rowdy behavior and/or any
other act that may compromise or cause breach of peace within the group and in the community
IV. Acquire basic understanding of this constitution and endeavor to foster it’s objectives and ideals
V. Honor all financial obligations to the organization
VI. Protect and safeguard the property of the group from waste and misuse
VII. Respect office bearers
VIII. Safeguard and promote group image in the community Embers shall do all things which are
legal , procedural and beneficial to attainment of the group’s objectives
b. Leaders and staff of the group shall be bound by the provisions of this article

ARTICLE 7: DEPRIVATION OF MEMBERSHIP

a. A member of the group shall cease to be a member or be deprived membership when

I. Resigning
II. Expelled
III. Dies
b. Any member who wishes to resign from the group shall write to the chairperson through the secretary of
which the resignation shall take effect at the time and date of receipt of such a letter by the secretary and
member will be entitled to 80% of his total share.
c. Any member who misses three consecutive general meetings shall cease to be a member immediately
after the third general meeting
d. A member shall be expelled from the group on account that his behavior, actions or conduct adversely
affect the reputation and image of the group or in any way he/she has grossly contravened the
provisions of this constitution
e. Any member who resigns is not entitled to refund of his/her subscription or any part thereof or any
money contributed to the group , unless in terms of member’s share contribution , and under no
circumstances shall such a member be reinstated to the group .
f. In case of death occurrence to a member, or a member of the nuclear family of a member, the support
group is obligated to show an act of appreciate based on
I. The prevailing state of the group financially
II. The members commitment record , participation and contribution to the group’s activities
III. Any other thing which is in line with this article shall be dealt with in accordance with the
provisions of this constitution.

ARTICLE 8: DISCIPLINE

a. Discipline issues shall be measured against;

I. Individual members or officials’ behavior and conduct
II. Abuse of office
III. Misuse of group’s resources and property
IV. Duty performance and service delivery
V. Relationship within the group and the community by members and official to the group
VI. Any other parameter deemed constructive to the advancement of the group objectives
 b. Discipline within and out of the organization shall be enforced by effective committee in conjunction
with the disciplinary committee
c. The procedure relating to a discipline issue shall be:
I. If a member or members are accused of indiscipline. The secretary to the disciplinary committee
shall give a notice to such a member and communicate the date, time and venue of the meeting and
receipt of the report by the Chairperson to the committee within fourteen 14 days
II. If upon notification, the accused fail to appear before the committee without any reasonable
explanation, the committee shall proceed to expel him/her
III. All meetings of the disciplinary committee before which the accused persons are summoned , the
procedure adopted to determine the case shall be determined by the committee and the accused
person shall appear in person
d. The committee’s decision shall be reached all through constraints of simple majority vote where the
chairperson to the committee shall have a casting vote in addition to his/her original vote in case of a tie.
e. The disciplinary committee decisions and report shall be used by the executive committee to
I. Warn or caution member
II. Require the member to fully recompense for any lose or damages as shall be communicable
with the nature and gravity of the offence committed
III. Expel the member
IV. Suspend the member from the group
V. Impose any other penalty or penalties as it may in its sole discretion deemed appropriate
VI. Initiate legal proceedings against the member in question according to the law of the land

CHAPTER FOUR FINANCE

ARTCLE9: PRINCIPALS AND OBJECTS OF THE GROUP FINANCE AND REVENUE

MANAGEMENT

a. The primary object of the finance management system of the group is to ensure
I. Efficient and effective generation of revenue
II. Invest in table banking and share the dividends annually
III. Adhere to the principles of transparency, honesty and accountability and observance of the law
including appropriate control, borrowing and expenditure
IV. The budget and budgetary process of the activities of the group well done
V. They the group’s accounts are audited and regulated by the constitution
b. The organizations shall generate finds through
I. Registration fees from members
II. Monthly subscription of members
III. Donations
IV. Grants
V. Remuneration of services offered by the group
VI. Any other legal source
c. Finances to the group shall be used in furthering the objectives of the group
d. Lending and borrowing money by the group shall be dealt with in the ways and procedures set out by
the executive committee in consultation with finance committee and observance off the provisions of
this constitution

ARTICLE 10 SECURITY OF THE GROUP’S FINANCE

a. The Organizations funds shall be secured in a bank account

 b. The treasurer shall request for money for running daily operations of the group
c. Claims for reimbursement of personal funds used on activities of the group shall be presented to the
finance committee chairperson for approval with official receipts of the undertaking and evidence to
that effect attached.
d. All receipts for organizations’ transactions shall be received and maintained by the treasurer and
submitted when needed for auditing or any other purposes
e. The cheque (s) issued by the group shall be signed by three of the following officials
I. Chairman
II. Secretary
III. Treasurer
IV. A member

ARTICLE 11: PROJECT’S ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

a. Auditing shall be Dona annually prior to annual general meeting and/or when need arises by:

External auditor

b. The auditing firm or individuals shall apply for the job on advertisement of the same by the organization
c. Applicants shall be vetted to get the most qualified for the job engaged for the activity
d. If while a holder of an executive office , a person approves the use of the group’s funds contrary to the
law, regulations or instructions, that person is liable for any lose arising from such approvals and is
obligated to take good the loss whether he/she remains in office or not.

CHAPTER FOUR: GROUP LEADERSHIP

The group shall be governed by a Management committee from among the members

ARTICLE 12: GROUP’S OFFICES

a. The following offices are hereby established under this constitution to be considered and recognized
legal from among the members’ herein called the executive committee
I. Chairperson
II. Secretary
III. Treasurer
IV. Member
b. Any other office shall be created on account that the group is in dire need of such an office and the
objective behind creation of such an office is to enhance attainment of the project’s objectives. Such an
office shall be brought to members in a general meeting for ratification

ARTICLE 13: ELECTIONS

a. Elections to the group shall be as follows

I. The office of the chairperson shall be through secret ballot at the group meeting
II. The group shall hold elections at expiry of office term of three (3) years and/or when there emerges a
need for a general election
III. In case of a vacancy arising in the executive committee, a by – election shall be carried out within a
period of thirty days and ;
IV. In case a vacancy arises in the office of the chairperson and that of the trustees, the executive committee
shall nominate a member of high standing from the group to fill the vacant position pending ratification
of the AGM.
 V. To vie for leadership in the group , the following qualifications MUST be met;
a. He/she must be a registered member with up to date subscription record
b. Must be of sound mind
c. Must be able to speak Swahili and English
d. Must have been in the group for the past 2 years
e. Must confirm his/her availability
f. Must be a person of high moral and social integrity
b. The advisory and elections committee shall organize, facilitate and ensure fair elections – dealing with
all elections complains. Secret ballot mode of elections shall be used and the procedure shall be;
I. A contestant shall present his/her application for consideration to participate in an election two
months to elections time
II. The advisory and elections committee shall evaluate his/her application considering the provisions
of chapter 4 Article 13 (a)(iii)
III. One can only hold one office at a time
IV. In case of an elected member is found to be office bearer in another , parallel organization, he/she
shall be compelled to drop one of the offices in either group to avoid conflict of interest
V. Any office bearers who ceases to be a member shall henceforth cease to be an office holder
c. Office bearers can be removed from office through
I. At expiry of an office term;
II. Through a vote of no confidence
III. Having knowledge that he/she once occupied an office In another group which failed due to his/her
error

ARTICLE 13: ETHICS AND CONDUCT OF ORGANIZATION OFFICE HOLDERS

a. Group officials shall at all times endeavor to avoid

I. Conflict between personal interest and official duties
II. Compromising organization and/or official duties in favor of personally interest
b. Demeaning the office or the position he/she holds in the organization
c. Group officials shall not;
I. Directly or indirectly use office to influence or pursue personal gains or take advantage of any person
II. Misappropriate organization’s funds to misuse or destroy Group’s property
III. Use the influence of the office to sexually or physically abuse anyone or attempt to obtain sexual favors
IV. Direct any person to do anything prohibited by the law for the benefit of the office holder or perform an
unlawful act
V. Seek or accept a personal loan or benefits in circumstances that might reasonably be considered to
compromise the integrity of the office holder

ARTICLE 14: DUTIES AND ROLES OF OFFICE BEARERS

a. Chairman
I. Chair all executive committee and annual general meetings of the group
II. Signatory to the group’s financial accounts and documents
III. Link the group to the outside world
IV. Issue notices of group meetings
V. Is spokesperson of the group

b. Vice chairperson
 I. Perform duties of the chairperson Incase of the chairperson absentia and undertake any other duty
delegated by the committee
c. Secretary
II. In charge of the inventory
III. Custodian of the group’s documents
IV. Takes minutes of the Group’ s executive and annual general meetings
d. Assistant secretary
I. Deputize the secretary
II. Execute any other duties as may be delegated by the executive committee
e. Treasurer
I. Responsible for the documentation of all group’s financial matters
II. Keep up to date accounts of the group’s funds bank cards and statements
III. Prepare financial statements to be presented to members at the annual general meeting
IV. Signatory to the group financial accounts
V. Shall be member of project committee

ARTICLE 15: RESIGNATION OF OFFICIALS

a. Any office bearers other than the chairperson and the trustees shall resign by writing to the chairperson
b. The chairperson and the trustees shall resign by writing to the executive committee
c. The entire executive committee shall resign by making their intentions known in annual general meeting
d. Committee members shall resign by writing to the chairperson through the secretary seven(7) days to
the effective date
e. In all above cases, the reasons for the resignation shall be candidly stated
f. In all the cases the Executive committee – except in the case contemplated in © above – reserves the
right to approve or reject the proposed resignation as per the reasons given
g. Where resignation has been accepted
I. The person resignation shall be required to hand in to the executive committee all group’s property
under his/her hold
II. The executive committee shall appoint an acting official pending a by- election
III. If the case contemplated in c above occurs , the advisory and elections Committee shall assume
leadership until new office is elected in a period not exceeding thirty(30) days
IV. No group offices shall be left vacant and /or in acting position for more than thirty days

ARTICLE 16 SECURITY OF OFFICE BEARERS

a. Being legitimately elected officials, they shall enjoy freedom when serving the group
b. An office bearers and/or elected members of executive committee shall only be removed from office
through:
I. Expiry of office term
II. Vote of no confidence
III. Resignation
IV. Death
V. On grounds contemplated in article 13 of this constitution
c. Any other means of removal from office of any official other than the ones in (b) above shall be
unconstitutional hence null and void

CHAPTER SIX: GROUP’S COMMITTEES

ARTICLE 17: COMMITTEES

These shall be executive, welfare, advisory and elections, disciplinary and project committees are hereby
established under the constitution:

a. Executive Committee
I. Shall consist of officials contemplated in article 15
II. Shall be in charge of daily running and administration Of the project derive the executive that was
over the group from their members
III. Shall be in force of an office term of two years unless otherwise accordance with this constitution
IV. Shall initiate, supervise and monitor the group
V. It can delegate some of its functions the professional employees of the group
b. Welfare Committee
I. Shall be constituted on demand
II. Shall have seven members appointed by the chairperson in consultation with executive committee
two of whom shall come from the executive committee
III. Shall elect its officials from among its membership
IV. Shall formulate and implement welfare projects
V. May act on any other thing deemed beneficial to communities welfare and/or the members welfare
c. Disciplinary And Disputes Committee
I. It shall consist of two members from executive and team members
II. The members shall be appointed by the chairperson on recommendation by the executive
committee
III. The committee shall
IV. Enforce discipline all levels of the organization
V. Ensure observance of law and order
VI. Conduct disciplinary measures as provided for institution
VII. This committee shall be appointed and sworn in in 14 days after general election
VIII. Formed when need arrives
IX. This committee may be reshuffled or disbanded on basis of
d. Finance Committee
I. this is hereby established a finance committee under this constitution
II. it shall be appointed by the chairperson in consultation with the executive committee
III. shall deal with the budget and budgetary requirements definition
IV. Shall work with the treasurer to ensure openness and accountability in the management of the
group's finance
V. It shall be chaired by a trustee and shall consist of five members appointed by the president
consultation with the executive committee
VI. This committee may be dissolved by the chairman in consultation with the executive committee in
interest of the group

Advisory and Elections Committee

I. appointed by the chairperson in consultation with the executive committee and shall serve For three
years
II. consist trustees of who to shall be professionals in relevant areas of study
III. shall guide and council members and advise the executive committee on issues concerning the daily
running of the organization
IV. in the time of leadership crisis shall assume the running of the group and ensure free and fair elections
are conducted within 21 days from the time of assuming the running of the organization
V. shall we go for organizing, conducting and ensuring free and fair elections
VI. shall receive and vet applicants for any elective post
VII. Shall be in office term Of two years and shall not be dissolved by any official whatsoever and can be
dissolved in a general meeting by an action instigated by any member who has reasons to believe the
committee in contravention off election procedures and provisions of the constitution

CHAPTER 7: MEETINGS

ARTICLE 18: MEETINGS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS OF MEETINGS

a. There shall be three types of group meetings

I. annual general meeting
II. special general meeting
III. committee meetings
IV. Weekly meetings
b. Annual general meeting shall be held at the end of physical yeah on the second Friday December
c. We should do think shall be found special general meetings shall be held in cases of emergency to
discuss specific issue and committee meeting should be held with when it is befitting to meet a
committee purpose must be fishing purpose for specific purpose
d. normal meetings shall be held weekly on Thursdays
e. quorum for general and committee meetings shall be 2/3 defective members
f. missing 3 consecutive a new general meeting Shelby picture of 1's membership in the group
g. any other meeting may be held as it deals necessary to discuss such issues as to the concern the meeting
at such places and time found approve it by executive committee
h. all meetings shall be held you notice to members in writing of not less than 10 days
i. minutes shall be taken and reserved for all groups meetings

ARTICLE 19 WELFARE PROGRAM FOR THE GROUPS

I. in case a member is believed by wife, mother, child each member shall contribute 250 they believed 200
to assist the believed
II. A member to contribute 50 to call during meetings
III. money is lent out on a month basis at an interest of 10% on principle
IV. interest is shared every December of the year

CHAPTER 8 AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 20: AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION

a. This constitution is subject to amendment

b. the proposal for amendments of this constitution on any aspect or part there off must be presented to the
chairperson prior to the general meeting at which the proposal shall be discussed
c. The amendment shall be adopted by 2/3 the delegates in a meeting at which the proposal is tabled and
quorum for such meeting shall be half of all groups membership
CHAPTER 9 GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article21: Records management

a. all the records pertaining the organization shall be kept by the secretary and made available need it

These are

 Members Register cashbook donations book

 Asset register shares book
 Minutes book visitors book
b. Financial records shall be kept by the treasurer
c. The books of accounts and all documents relating thereto and a list of members of the group shall be
available for inspection at the registered office of the group by any officer or member of the group on
giving not less than seven days notice in writing to the secretary

ARTICLE 22 CONSTRUING OF CONSTITUTION

a. This constitution shall be interpreted in manner which;

I. Promotes the purpose, values and principles of the group
II. Advances members rights and freedoms
III. Contributes to good leadership and governance
IV. Enhance the rule of law

ARTICLE 23 DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Any dispute arising out of any provisions of this constitution which cannot be resolved through negotiation by
the parties involved will be referees to a general meeting for discussion and resolution, should the dispute
remain unresolved, it may be refer to some other mediator as the parties may determine

ARTICLE 24 ASSET MANAGEMENT

The assets of the group shall be strictly uses on group purpose

Individual Use of the assets will not be allowed unless in approved special circumstances as determined by the
group through a minute

Assets will be managed and maintained in good condition always

Misuse of group assets will be dealt with in accordance with assets regulations.

ARTICLE 25 DISSOLUTION OF THE GROUP

a. This organization shall be dissolved by members and only when it is fit as per the reasons for
dissolution which shall be presented to the chairperson and all interested parties one month before the
convening of a meeting for that purpose
b. The proposal shall be endorsed by 2/3 majority of all Members
c. The organization shall be dissolved by 2/3 majority of all Members
d. In case of successful dissolution bid, all assets shall be used to settle project’s creditors and the
members shall have claim on the residue value on proportionate and fair terms