Constitution

Kenya Social Forum in Sweden (KESOFO-Sweden) is a Social, Economic, Cultural and Political Forum of Kenyans and friends founded in Sweden in March 2006. Nobody inside or outside Sweden is allowed to the use the name of “KESOFO – Sweden” at any time without authorization of the Forum’s leadership.

§ 1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To provide a Forum upon which the Kenyan community in Sweden can address the social, economic, cultural, religious and political issues affecting the community in Sweden.

2. To fight for and represent the interests of the Kenyan community in Sweden who agree with the Forum’s Constitution and general Program.

3. To act as a lobby group in Sweden in matters concerning Kenya and to sensitize the International community about relevant issues happening in Kenya.

4. To defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of Kenyans in Sweden through available channels.

5.  To collect information about the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of Kenya and to disseminate this information to different recipients using available media. 

6. To work and collaborate with progressive Kenyan organizations at home and abroad, International organizations and Movements whose agenda is similar to or in tune with the general aims and objectives of the KESOFO. 

8. To work towards the implementation of the Forums “Program of Action”.

§2. LOCATION:

The headquarters of KESOFO shall be Stockholm, Sweden.

§3. MEMBERSHIP:

 1. Membership in KESOFO is open to all Kenyans and friends living in Sweden who agree with the Forum’s Constitution living and who have attained the age of 18.

2. The Annual membership fee is 100 kr for singles, 150 kr for families and 500 kr for organizations.

3. The monthly membership fees is 20 kr (240 annually). Members who opt to pay the whole monthly fee at once will have a discount of 40 kr by paying 200kr instead of 240 kr.

4. Membership fee is decided upon by members during the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

5. A person is considered a member after paying the Annual membership fees in full and honoring the monthly subscription fees.

6. Membership fee is non refundable.

§4. MEMBER'S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. All members of the Forum are guaranteed freedom of speech, conscience, assembly, association, opinion, demonstration, religious belief and political orientation.

2. Every member is an integral part of the Forum and has the right to take part or actively participate in the running and management of the Forum.

3. Members have the right to move a vote of no confidence against a Committee member or any member of the Forum.

4. Every paid up member has the right to vie for Office within the Forum and the right to vote during elections. Members who have been rejected after elections will not be liable for co-option by the elected Committee during any calendar year.

5. Every member has the right of access to all information regarding the Forum’s affairs.

6. All members have a duty to attend meetings. Members who fail to attend meetings without sending apologies will be liable to a fine of 50 kr.

7. All paid up members will have the right to important information about the Forum through the Post Office and other available channels.

§5. SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS.

1. Any member who fails to follow the Forum’s Constitution can be suspended or expelled from the Forum. The Executive committee recommends to members the suspension or expulsion of any member from the Forum.

2. Suspension or expulsion of any member from the Forum must be supported by a 2/3 majority during a members' meeting before such action can take effect.

§6. MEETINGS

There will be two types of meetings: Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Member's meetings.

1.  The Annual General  Meeting shall be held once a year while the member’s meetings shall be held at least three times a year.

2. It is the responsibility of the Executive committee to decide on place and time for meetings.

3. Meetings shall require a quorum of at least 50% of the total registered members, all with voting rights.

4. Decisions taken at meetings are valid if supported by the majority.

5. The Constitution provides for the calling of Extra-ordinary meetings.

1. Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The invitation letters and Agenda of the AGM shall be sent to ALL paid up members at least three weeks in advance. The agenda of the AGM shall be:

(a) Whether the meeting has been convoked according to the Constitution.

(b) List or Register of voters which must be provided by the Treasurer.

(c) Approval of the day's agenda.

(d) Election of the meeting's Chairperson or Secretary.

(e) Election of two minute verifiers who shall also be responsible for vote counting.

(f) The Executive committee's Annual report.

(g) The Auditor's report.

(h) The Executive committee's freedom from responsibility.

(i) Election of the New Executive committee

(j) Appointment of two Auditors

(k) Election of (three) Electoral commissioners

(l) Review of finance.

(m) Decision on member's registration fee for the coming calendar year.

(n) Elected Committee can then decide to co-opt some members into the Committee at its convinience to oversee Committee activities.

2. The Annual General Meeting shall be held during the last Saturday of March.

3. The Extra-ordinary meeting can be called two months before or after the Annual General Meeting.

4. If 20% or more members request in writing for an Extra-ordinary meeting, the Executive committee is legally bound to call such a meeting.

§7: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

1. It is the duty of the Executive committee to implement decisions made during the Annual, Member's or Extra-ordinary Meetings as well as plan and distribute responsibilities within the Forum.

2. The Executive committee shall consist of eleven people: Chairperson, Vice chairperson, Secretary, Vice secretary, Treasurer, Vice treasurer and four ordinary members.

3. The Committee shall decide upon itself on the distribution of the above responsibilities.

4. The Executive committee is elected during the Annual General Meeting. The out-going Committee can still be re-elected.

5. The Forum shall have three signatories to it's account, Chairman, Treasurer and an ordinary Committee member.

6. The Chairman and Secretary shall work in conjunction to ensure that minutes and documents reach members in good time.

§8: CHAIRPERSON'S RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To co-ordinate the work of the Executive committee.

2. To chair Committee meetings.

3. To act as the Forum’s spokesperson.

4. Ensure that decisions taken by the Committee are executed.

5. Co-ordinate with the Treasurer to ensure that the Forum’s income and expenditure records are in order.

6. Save copies of the Forum's documents for at least ten years.

§9: VICE CHAIRPERSON'S RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To assist the Chairperson fulfill the above responsibilities.

2. Assume the position of Chairperson while he/she is away.

§10: SECRETARY'S RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Record minutes during meetings.

2. Take care of the Forum's mails.

3. Take care of the Forum's archive.

4. Work with the Committee to ensure that all members are constantly informed about the Forum's activities.

5. Save copies of the Forum's documents for at least 10 years.

§11: VICE SECRETARY'S RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assist the Secretary in carrying out the above duties.

2. Assume the position of the Secretary during his/her absence.

§12: TREASURER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Take care of the Forum's finances.

2. Co-ordinate with the Chairperson to ensure that the Forum's income and expenditure records are in order.

3. To ensure that application for funds to authorities are submitted in good time.

4. Ensure that the Forum's books of accounts are properly kept.

5.  Prepare and keep good records of the member's register.

6. Report on a regular basis, the Forum's financial situation.

7. Save all receipts of payments, purchases etc of ALL financial transactions the Forum is involved in.

8. Save copies of the Forum's financial records for at least 10 years.

§13: ASSISTANT TREASURER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assist the Treasurer execute the above duties.

2. Assume the position of Treasurer during his/her absence.

§14:  AUDITOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To ensure that the office of Treasurer functions properly.

2. Physically see that receipts of all purchases  are available, recorded in the right books of accounts, that the financial reports are correct and that they are kept in accordance with constitutional provisions. He/she must verify records of Bank statements as well as other related documents reflecting financial records.

3. To present the Auditor's report of the Forum during the Annual General  Meeting.

4. To evaluate from time to time the Forum's assets and other property.

§15:  CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

1. If need to amend the Constitution arises, then two meetings are required. One member's  meeting or one Extra-ordinary meeting plus an Annual General Meeting.

2.  2/3 of Members with voting rights must vote in favor of any constitutional amendment.

3.  The above meetings must have a quorum of at least 50% of all registered members, all with full voting rights.

§16: CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE:

1.  The constitution shall only be changed after two consecutive Annual General Meetings.

2. The conditions 2 and 3 in § 15 shall prevail.

§16: DISSOLUTION OF THE MOVEMENT

1.  Kenya Social Forum in Sweden (KESOFO) can only be dissolved by the decision taken during two consecutive Annual General  Meetings.

2. In the event of a dissolution, the  Forum's assets shall be donated to any suitable organization(s) or Movement (s).

3.  In the event of a dissolution, the  Forum's minutes and documents shall be placed under public archives or documentation center.

END OF CONSTITUTION