CONSTITUTION

SECTION ONE
NAME, NATURE AND SOURCE OF REVENUE

 Article I
A non-governmental, non-political, non-denominational and non-profit making organization is hereby formally constituted this day 20th day of November 1999 amongst the undersigned persons and those who will subsequently become members thereafter.
The activities of this organization shall include the training of children to be useful to themselves, their families, the community and their country.

 This is in accordance with law N° 99/014 of 22 December 1999 regulating non-governmental organization. This organization shall henceforth be known and addressed as CHILDREN’S REASSURANCE MINISTRY with the acronym CREAM.

Article II

The scope of CREAM is international with headquarters in Yaounde, Cameroon, subject to changes need arises. Its existence is 99 years renewable.

Article III

Goals and objectives

Goals

CREAM shall orientate, counsel and introduce children to professions according to their aptitudes and talents with emphasis on Christian and civic education.
Objectives

Shall introduce children to basic skills like typing, computing, domestic science, poultry, carpentry, literacy, aesthetics, etc.

Shall provide an information centre for all that pertains to child education and juvenile delinquency.

Shall bring together from time to time parents or guardians of children for relevant seminars.

Shall rehabilitate juveniles counsel and orientate them in preparation for vocations.

Shall develop at an early stage children’s interest in the environment and how to protect it.

Shall assist refugee children by cooperating where necessary with the Delegation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, International Labour Organisation and others.

Shall provide catering and recreational services.

Shall collaborate with other NGOs and ministries involved in child welfare, education, health and environment.

Article IV

Emblem and Motto

Emblem: Children holding a globe signifying that child poverty should be globally eradicated.

Motto: Hope – Peace – self-reliance.

Article V

Membership:

Active Membership: An active member,

Shall be a God fearing person with good moral rectitude – who has deposited his signature in the register of the organization.

Shall be committed to CREAM’s goals and objectives.

Shall pay a non-refundable fee of 20 000frs CFA and a security deposit of 50 000frs CFA to be considered share capital for the realization of projects approved by the General Assembly.

Shall be the children who have evolved to above 21 years within CREAM or their parents.

2   Executive Membership: An Executive member

Shall be the executors of CREAM’s policy.

Shall ensure the smooth functioning and sit as often as necessary to contribute to the effective management of CREAM.

Shall be voted upon by the General Assembly every five years at the general Session.

Associate Membership: Associate Members

Shall be persons of corporate bodies, national or international with similar objectives with whom projects can be realized.

Patrons / Matrons

Shall be a special category of membership bestowed on outstanding individuals both in and out of the country.

Shall be appointed at the General Assembly on the recommendation of the executive committee.

Shall be exempted from all membership fees and dues.

May of goodwill donate to this organization, and project its activities.

Shall maintain an open invitation to any occasion or meeting of CREAM.

Article VI

Right and Duties of Members:

Shall enjoy the services provided by CREAM

Shall be eligible for any payable job position in the business of the organization provided he possesses the required, relevant qualification and aptitudes.

Shall be liable to his debts in equal terms until it is expunged.

Members who withdrew, or have been expelled shall remain liable in the same terms for debts contracted during their term of office.

Shall be expelled for gross misconduct, negligence in the discharge of his / her functions or behaviour likely to embarrass or threaten the existence of his association not withstanding the preceding paragraph and legal action.

Article VII

Sources of Revenues:

Shall come from registration fees, dues, donations, sale of literature, products and other goods, fund raising and interest from savings.

This fund shall be used for the implementation of CREAM’s objectives.

SECTION TWO

ORGANISATIONAL CHART (ORGANIGRAM)

Article VIII

CREAM has three basic organs organized according to descending order of supremacy as follows; the board of Trustees; the General assembly; and the Executive committee.

1 The Board of Trustees.

Article IX

The Board shall be made up of trustworthy members called trustees under the leadership of a president subject to a mandate of three years renewable, multiple folds upon election by the board and the executive committee, except the president emeritus (founder) who is a board permanent.
It shall be made up of 7 trustees alongside the president elect and the president emeritus.
Shall be charged with the following functions:
-         Shall implement the vision of CREAM
-         Guarantee financial probity 
-         Assist in fund raising
-         Adopt the budget and plan of action
-         Offer philanthropic gestures
-         Hires and terminates the Executive committee members within a rotatory period of two years and renewable multiple folds vis-à-vis individual competence.
-         By 2/3 majority shall decide on complex issues
-         Shall meet on quarterly appointments upon initiation by president.
-         Shall not earn salaries, but may benefit from fringe allowances and services
-         Shall be divided into the following positions:

i.      President emeritus (founder) (1)

ii.     President elect (1)

iii.    Adviser (1)

iv.    Communication agents (2)

v.     Auditor-rapporteur

vi.     Fund raiser.

Article X

Functions of the President elect

The president elect:

Shall preside over board meetings

Shall endorse board decisions alongside the president emeritus

Shall be responsible to the president emeritus

Shall define the functions of the trustees

Shall endorse the decision of the Executive Director

Shall appoint executive staff in case of resignation, dismissal and incapacitation.

Shall invite independent auditors to audit CREAM’s funds.

Shall be a co-signatory CREAM;s Bank Account.

Article XI

 2 The General Assembly

It consist of all registered members of CREAM and shall be charge with policy – making vis-à-vis issues tabled for deliberations by the board of trustees.

Shall meet once a year or in any urgent situation as need arises

Shall debate, ratify or approve projects and programme of activities by 2/3 majority of members present.

Shall debate on the plan of action, budget, annual report and matters arising submitted by the Board of Trustees.

Shall not deliberate on complex issues which are the sole prerogative of the Board of trustees.

Article XII

The Implementation Committee (ICO)

Shall implement the decisions of the board and the General Assembly.

Shall be recruited for a term of two years by the board and contract is renewable multiple folds vis-à-vis competence.

Shall propose administrative recommendations and reforms to the board.

Shall draft administrative letters.

Shall be responsible to the board.

Composition of the ICO

a)      Executive Director
b)      Finance Officer/Treasurer
c)      Secretary General
d)      Projects coordinator
e)      Public Relations Officer

Article XIII

Functions:

Executive Director

Shall head the EXCO and subsequently report to the board

Shall represent the association and report to the board

Shall take discretionary action as legally and rationally possible within the provision of the constitution

Shall raise funds, receive gifts and donations on behalf of CREAM

Shall authorize all receipts and payments approved by the board

Shall be co-signatory to CREAM’s account

Shall attest his / her signature of authenticity to minutes and resolutions as a certificates.

Shall be the guarantor of CREAM’s internal rules and regulations

Shall be responsible to the board alongside other EXCO members

Secretary General

Shall be the general rapporteur of CREAM’s administrative matters.

Shall keep all administrative letters as archives.

Hall supervise CREAM’s personal and then subsequently prepare a confidential report for each worker.

Shall submit the confidential report to the president of the board

Shall take down the daily administrative letters in form of incoming and outgoing letters.

Finance Officer/Treasurer

Shall present the yearly balance sheet of CREAM.

Shall present the cash flow statements and financial reports.

Shall be given the role of doing the official book-keeping of all financial transactions.

Shall be co-signatory of CREAM’s Bank Account.

Projects coordinator (PC)

Shall carry out feasibility studies and content analysis vis-à-vis specific projects.

Shall prepare seminars, vocational curricular and other schemes.

Public Relations Officer.

Shall be responsible for public communication, publicity (marketing) and liaison with interest public parties

Shall be charged with protocol and public speaking during seminars, fund raising and festivals

Shall design the programme for public events

Shall write all articles for press communiqué or press release

Shall draft invitation letters.

SECTION THREE

 PROVISIONS

Article XIV

Elections

1.  The executive committee members shall be recruited for 2 years upon endorsement by the president elect.
2.   ICO members may renew their contacts upon endorsement by the president

Article XV

Day and time of monthly meetings

1. ICO shall meet every last Saturday of every month to review progress of previous months and evaluate and plan strategies for the future.
2. Shall take place at the head office unless otherwise stipulated. Excessive lateness and absences shall result to discipline to be determined by the ICO.
3. Annual meetings of the General Assembly shall be opened to any of its members who shall review activities of previous years and plan for the future as well as lection of ICO members.
4. Date, time and venue of annual meetings shall be determined by ICO three months before the time of session and shall be held within four months of the new year.

Article XVI

BUDGET

The financial committee shall draw up an annual budget each year in accordance with Cameroon’s Fiscal year which shall be ratified by 2/3 of ICO vote.

 Article XVII

Employees

The ICO shall hire employees on either temporary or permanent basis on the recommendation of the president. The same shall have right to terminate such employment.

Article XIX Amendments

Any decision to amend this constitution and / or regulations may be initiated by the president or a proposition emanating from at least 65% of registered who will append their signatures thereof. These shall conform to law N° 99/014 of 22 December 1999.
Article to be amended shall be submitted one month to the ICO, who must present them to the General Assembly.

CREAM shall be dissolved by Cameroon Administration in accordance with the above law, or by its members. In any case, the Executive Committee will manage the liquidation process.

Article XX

Ratification
This form of the constitution, rules and regulations of the CREAM shall become effective upon an affirmation majority vote of an assembly of registered members. Ratifies on this day of November 20 1999 at the Assembly held in Yaounde by a majority vote of registered members of CREAM.

THE CONSTITUENT BODY

This body has met and voted the following for the administration of CREAM

                                                                                                Adopted 1 July 2004, at
                                                                                                               Yaounde.
                                                                                                          The President

ORGANISATIONAL CHART –
ORGANIGRAM

 The Projects Coordinator

 Finance officer/Treasurer Secretary General            Public relations officer
(PRO)

Clerical Agent and teachers / Trainers