Preamble
In acknowledgement of the growing number of North Malaita Constituency (herein referred to as To’abaita) students in Fiji and recognition of the difficulties that rural communities in North Malaita Constituency face, WE, the members of the To’abaita Authority for Research and Development do hereby adopt this constitution on July 14 2006 in order that our purpose be realized to its fullest extent.
Article 1.0: Name of Organization
The name of this VOLUNTEER student organization shall be known as the TO’ABAITA AUTHORITY FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT or more commonly recognized as “TARD” (hereinafter referred to as To’abaita Authority for Research and Development).
Article 2.0: Vision, Mission and Objectives
Section 2.1: Vision
Our vision for North Malaita and the Solomon Islands is that of a safe and sustainable society, whose people are healthy and prosperous.
Section 2.2: Mission
Our mission is working for better tomorrow. This can be achieved by helping rural communities make and implement potential community development initiatives that will benefit them.
Section 2.3: Objectives
The objectives of the organization shall be:
a. To function as a student volunteer organization;
b. To encourage participation and social interaction amongst To’abaita people and other interested person(s);
c. To pursue potential development aspirations of the North Malaita Constituency in partnership with our Member of Parliament and the Solomon Islands National Government, Provincial Assembly Members and the Malaita Provincial Government, investors, non-government organizations, house of chiefs, churches, women and youth groups, and rural communities;
d. To facilitate progressive development in the North Malaita Constituency by coordinating potential development projects and reviewing a blue print where necessary;
e. To bridge the barriers that hinder development activities in North Malaita;
f. To enable the members of the organization to show respect towards each other;
g. To unite all the scholars, leaders and grassroots of North Malaita Constituency for a better future;
h. To formulate and implement development and community awareness programs that would benefit rural communities in the North Malaita Constituency;
i. To facilitate the dissemination of information and research that may be necessary to further the purpose of the organization and to liaise with other organizations and institutions;
j. To promote and restore a good image for To’abaita people through excellence and initiation.
Article 3.0: Membership Qualifications
Section 3.1: ACTIVE Membership Criteria
3.1.1. Founding members of the TARD Initiative shall remain LIFE Members of the organization regardless of their geographical location and age, and are subjected to Clause 3.1.3.
3.1.2. Students or persons from North Malaita Constituency in Malaita Province of Solomon Islands, through blood or marriage ties, who are studying at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Campus, or, at any other institution within Fiji shall be direct "ACTIVE" members of the organization, should they wish, upon the payment of small membership contribution fee decided by the executive.
3.1.3. All persons deemed as ACTIVE members of the organization (Clause 3.1.1) shall pay a small membership fee each academic semester of such an amount as the Committee of the organization shall decide at the beginning of each academic semester.
Section 3.2: Ordinary Advocator Membership Criteria
3.2.1. ORDINARY Advocator/Supporter membership in the organization shall be open to all people of the North Malaita Constituency, either residing in the Solomon Islands or abroad, without regard to race, creed, sex, physical ability, and sexual orientation.
3.2.2. The organization may seek goodwill financial or other forms of support deemed necessary by the Executive from members who fall under the “ordinary advocator/supporter membership” category through signed appeal letters carrying the organization’s official letterhead.
Section 3.3: Non-Discriminatory Clause
There shall be no discrimination against any individual who is referred to as a member, be it ACTIVE or ordinary advocator/supporter, due to race, age, sex, religion, colour, national origin, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or marital/parental status.
Section 3.4: Termination of Membership
3.4.1. A member ceases to become a member of the organization if that member so wishes, by formally writing to the organization or informing the executive as this is only a volunteer student/youth organization.
3.4.2. The organization has EVERY right either to accept, or, to terminate the membership of any member regardless of status.
Article 4.0: Solomon Islands Steering Committee
The Solomon Islands Steering Committee of the organization shall consist of a Volunteer To’abaita Committee in Honiara and North Malaita, to be agreed upon by the executive members in Suva, and the founding members of the TARD Initiative.
The Solomon Islands’ TARD Steering Committee shall be responsible to, but not limited to, the following voluntary roles:
Follow up on potential development proposals with endorsing authorities in Honiara or funding agencies when submitted by TARD in Suva or any individuals in the Solomon Islands.
Advance the TARD Concept to other North Malaitans in Honiara and Malaita through meetings and fundraisings.
Work in partnership with our North Malaita Member of Parliament towards the initiation of rural development projects in North Malaita.
Article 5.0: Executive Leadership Officers
Section 5.1: Techical Advisor
The Technical Advisor of the organization shall be duly responsible for offering advises to the executive on how to manage the group and its activities on a regular basis. The role is important in maintaining a close relationship with existing and potential donors and aid organisations.
Section 5.2: Chairman
The Chairman of the Organization shall be responsible for making constant contact and updates on projects and organization matters to all active members of the organization and other interested parties including the Member of Parliament for North Malaita Constituency, non government organizations, funding agencies, the national and provincial governments, rural community groups, and the media.
The Chairman together with the Vice Chairman, Secretary, Women’s Representative, and Treasurer shall take the responsibility to evaluate the performance of the organization.
Section 5.3: Vice-Chairman
The primary responsibility of the Vice Chairman is to assist the Chairman in the overall management of the organization. The Vice Chairman of the organization also has equal powers as the Chairman to make media releases on behalf of the organization. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall assume the duties of the Chairman until a new Chairman is appointed.
The Vice Chairman is the rightful person to attend meetings on behalf of the organization if agreed upon by the executive members, in relation to the Solomon Islands Student Association (SISA) or the University of the South Pacific Student Association (USPSA) meetings.
Section 5.4: Treasurer
The Treasurer’s responsibility is to oversee the financial matters of the organization. No withdrawal can be authorized by anyone without prior WRITTEN consent of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall inform the Executive Officers and members as to the organization’s spending allowances for the month and current financial status. The Treasurer shall prepare monthly budget reports and the Treasurer shall maintain detailed records of the organization’s revenues and expenses.
Section 5.5: Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for the advertising and publicity of TARD’s events and meetings. The Secretary shall be responsible for recording of minutes during meetings and arranging media and communication avenues that can advance the work of the organization as well as helping any of the other executive members as appropriate.
Section 5.6: Women’s Representative
The Women’s Representative shall be responsible for matters that relate to women members of the organization in terms of their personal and academic welfare. The women’s representative shall be responsible to promote social interaction and meetings among women members of the organization.
Another role of the Women’s Representative is to liaise with women’s groups in the rural communities in North Malaita to promote gender equality and active participation of women in rural development projects. She is also expected to oversee projects that target women and make appropriate media releases. The Women’s Representative shall attend important meetings and trainings on behalf of the organization that relate to women matters.
Article 6.0: Meetings
There shall be at least one monthly meeting, if possible, in a form of a gathering. Other urgent matters and important decisions will be made through prior notification via email, whereby all members should pass their email, telephone and residential contacts to the executive officers for emergency contact purposes.
Article 7.0: Financial Aspects
Section 7.1: Banking
A joint cheque bank account shall be opened with a nominated bank and all funds for the organization shall be kept here. The Treasurer shall be in charge of the management and administration of the funds. The Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary should be the authorized signatories to the funds.
Section 7.2: Accountability
The Treasurer shall keep clear records of the funds spent together receipts and should produce a written monthly report to the members of the organization.
Article 8.0: Amendments to this Draft Constitution
Any active member or executive officer of the organization can present in writing a potential amendment to the To’abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) Constitution to the Chairman who will then inform all the executive members. The Executive members will then vote after a debate whether to go ahead with amendment or not.