THE CONSTITUTION

OF

………………………………………
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS....................................................................................................................................i

PART I: PRELIMINARY..................................................................................................................................1

ARTICLE 1: Name of the Organization......................................................................................................1

ARTICLE 2: Interpretation........................................................................................................................1

ARTICLE 3: Preamble...............................................................................................................................1

ARTICLE 4: Registration...........................................................................................................................1

ARTICLE 5: Head Office............................................................................................................................1

ARTICLE 6: Area of Operation..................................................................................................................1

PART II: VISION, MISSION AND OBJECTIVES................................................................................................2

ARTICLE 7: Vision Statement...................................................................................................................2

ARTICLE 8: Mission Statement.................................................................................................................2

ARTICLE 9: Objectives (For purpose of promoting/ enhancing/protecting

lobbying/Advocating………………………….)..................................................................................................2

PART III: MEMBERSHIP AND TYPES OF MEMBERS.......................................................................................2

ARTICLE 10: Membership........................................................................................................................2

ARTICLE 11: Types of Members...............................................................................................................2

ARTICLE 12: Rights and obligations of Members.....................................................................................2

ARTICLE 13: Cessation of Members.........................................................................................................3

PART IV: OFFICE BEARERS, ELECTION AND TERM OF LEADERSHIP..............................................................3

ARTICLE 14: Chairperson or……………………… (Please insert applicable title if it is other than Chairperson)
.................................................................................................................................................................3

ARTICLE 15: Executive Secretary/…………………………… (Please insert applicable title if it is other than
Executive Secretary).................................................................................................................................3

ARTICLE 16: Treasurer/………………………….. (Please insert applicable title if it is other than Treasurer)....3

ARTICLE 17: Election and term of leadership of office bearers................................................................4

PART V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS...................................................................................................................4

 ARTICLE 18: Establishment of the Board of Directors..............................................................................4

ARTICLE 19: Functions and Duties of Board of Directors.........................................................................4

PART VI: GENERAL MEETING.......................................................................................................................4

ARTICLE 20: Composition of General Meeting.........................................................................................4

ARTICLE 21: Powers/function of the General Meeting............................................................................4

ARTICLE 22: Annual General Meeting......................................................................................................5

ARTICLE 23: Extra-Ordinary General Meeting..........................................................................................5

PART VII: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, DISSOLUTION AND CONFLICT

RESOLUTION................................................................................................................................................5

ARTICLE 24: Financial Year.......................................................................................................................5

ARTICLE 25: Sources of Funds..................................................................................................................5

ARTICLE 26: Uses of Funds.......................................................................................................................5

ARTICLE 27: Bank Account.......................................................................................................................5

ARTICLE 28: Constitutional Amendments................................................................................................5

ARTICLE 29: Dissolution...........................................................................................................................6

ARTICLE 30: Conflict Resolution...............................................................................................................6

LIST OF FOUNDER MEMBERS......................................................................................................................7

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 PART I: PRELIMINARY
ARTICLE 1: Name of the Organization
The name of the Organization shall be ……………………………………………

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………………………………………… (Name of the
Organization);
“Board” Shall mean Board of Directors of the Organization;
“Registrar” shall mean the Registrar of Non Governmental Organizations;
“Office bearers” shall mean Chairperson or …………., Executive Secretary or
…………………., Treasurer or …………………………
“Vulnerable, marginalized, voiceless, underprivileged or disadvantaged group” shall
include……………(eg. Women, children etc.) (if applicable)

ARTICLE 3: Preamble
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(Briefly narrate the problems facing the community “on any” of Economic, cultural
development, environmental, social, rule and order, Human rights and good
governance that led you to form the 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…………street, nearby……….., ………..ward,
……………………District……………..Region
P.O.BOX…………………….

ARTICLE 6: Area of Operation

The Organization shall operate in ………………… (Tanzania
Mainland/……..Region/……..District)

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 PART II: VISION, MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
ARTICLE 7: Vision Statement
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

ARTICLE 8: Mission Statement

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

ARTICLE 9: Objectives (For purpose of promoting/ enhancing/protecting

lobbying/Advocating………………………….)

PART III: MEMBERSHIP AND TYPES OF MEMBERS

ARTICLE 10: Membership
Membership to the Organization shall be voluntary and open to any Tanzanian 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.
(In case of local NGO membership shall compose of Tanzanians, and for an International
NGO membership shall composed of not less than three members two of whom shall
Tanzanian being founder members)

ARTICLE 11: Types of Members

There shall be three types of members-
1. Founder members: These are members who made the initiatives to establish this
Organization;
2. Ordinary members: These are members who join the Organization after its
establishment;
3. Honorary members: are those members who shall be awarded such membership by
the Organization due to their positive contributions to the community and
Organization objectives. (if applicable)

ARTICLE 12: Rights and obligations 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 that is prescribed by the General Meeting;
7. To attend all meetings that requires 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.

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ARTICLE 13: Cessation of Members
Members shall cease if any 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 Meeting without reasonable information;
4. Incapability to perform his/her obligations due to mental disorder;
5. Failure to pay subscription fees for ……………………..years;
6. Death.
PART IV: OFFICE BEARERS, ELECTION AND TERM OF LEADERSHIP
ARTICLE 14: Chairperson or……………………… (Please insert applicable title if it is
other than Chairperson)
There shall be Chairperson or…………….. of the Organization who;
1. Shall preside over General Meeting of the Organization;
2. Be the spokesman for the Organization;
3. Shall be a signatory to the bank account.
4. Shall be the overseer of the Organization’s daily activities (Add if any)
ARTICLE 15: Executive Secretary/…………………………… (Please insert applicable title
if it is other than Executive Secretary)
There shall be 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 Organizations bank account;
6. Shall keep records of all assets of the Organization.
(Add if any)
ARTICLE 16: Treasurer/………………………….. (Please insert applicable title if it is other
than Treasurer)
There shall be 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 keep all records of assets, records of accounts and books of account;
4. Shall prepare financial records of statements of income and expenditure and submit
the said documents together with audited report to the General Meeting;
5. Shall be a signatory to the bank account. (Add if any)

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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………………years and may be re elected for another
term of …………..years.
PART V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ARTICLE 18: Establishment of the Board of Directors
1. There are shall be a Board of Directors composed of the Chairperson, Executive
Secretary, Treasurer and other ………………. members appointed by General Meeting;
2. Members of the Board shall hold the office for a period of ……………. year and may be
re-appointed for another term of……………..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;
(Provide your structure if any)
4. Board of Director shall hold the meeting 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 staffs;
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 project and submit the same for approval by the General
Meeting;
7. To form different committees of the Organization where necessary. (Add if any)
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. The decisions in this meeting shall be by majority vote of members attended the meeting.

ARTICLE 21: Powers/function 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. Electing office bearers of the Organization;
5. Approve issues originated from the Board of Directors;
6. To appoint Board of Directors. (Add if any)

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ARTICLE 22: Annual General Meeting
1. There shall be Annual General Meeting of the Organization held once a year;
2. Notice shall be given to all members ………………. 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 ……………… 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 1 st 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. (Add if any)
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 the 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, 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.

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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 Organization is dissolved, all assets remain after payment of debts shall be
transferred to another Non-Governmental Organization registered under the Act with
Similar objectives with this Organization.
ARTICLE 30: Conflict Resolution
1. Whenever arises a conflict 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
and if the General Meeting.

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 LIST OF FOUNDER MEMBERS
NO NAME SEX NATIONALITY POSITION PHONE SIGNATURE
NO.

Eg. chairperson