TITLE I: GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1: The purpose of these rules of procedure is to define the modalities of application of the Statutes of the Network of Foundations and Research Institutions for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace in Africa (REFICA).
Article 2: The Network shall pursue specific objectives which are set forth and determined in Articles 2 and 3 of the Statutes.
TITLE II: ACQUISITION AND LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP
CHAPTER I: MEMBERSHIP STATUTES
The Network is composed of founding members, active members, honorary members and sympathising members.
Article 3: FOUNDING MEMBER
Founding members of the Network are the foundations and research institutions that participated in the constitutive General Assembly.
Article 4: ACTIVE MEMBER
An active member is any legal entity that has adhered to the present statutes.
Article 5: HONORARY MEMBER
An honorary member is any natural or legal person who has rendered, is rendering or is likely to render eminent services to the Network. The President may designate the honorary member(s).
The title of honorary member may also be awarded by the General Assembly to any natural or legal person who has rendered or is likely to render eminent services to the Network.
Article 6: SYMPATHISING MEMBER
A sympathising member is any person who shares the objectives of the Network without being a member.
CHAPTER II: MEMBERSHIP AND EXCLUSION
Article 7: MEMBERSHIP
Any application for membership of the present association, made in writing, shall be submitted to the General Assembly which shall decide on such admission without having to justify its decision, whatever it may be.
To be an active member, one must be approved by the General Assembly and have paid the membership fee.
The title of honorary member may be awarded by the General Assembly to associations or individuals who render or have rendered reported services to the association.
The membership fee is fixed at 200 USD. It entitles the holder to a membership card.
Exceptional membership fees may be requested in case of necessity.
Membership and subscription fees are not refundable.
Article 8: EXCLUSION
Membership is lost by :
- resignation;
- expulsion;
- death.
TITLE III: RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS
CHAPTER ONE: RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
Article 9: RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
Active membership confers the following rights :
- freedom of opinion;
- the right to take part in the deliberations of the General Assembly.
Article 10: DUTIES OF MEMBERS
Active members have the duty to :
- pay their various dues;
- participate in all meetings;
- respect the decisions and deliberations of the Executive Board and the General Assembly.
CHAPTER II: SANCTIONS
Failure to comply with the duties laid down in Article 10 of these Rules of Procedure shall give rise to the following penalties:
- warning;
- reprimand;
- striking off the roll.
Article 11: PENALTIES OF FIRST DEGREE
The warning and reprimand are pronounced by the EB.
Article 12 : SANCTIONS OF THE SECOND DEGREE
Delisting is the responsibility of the General Meeting.
TITLE IV: ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION
REFICA is equipped with the following organs :
- the General Assembly (G.A.);
- the Executive Bureau (EB);
- the Permanent Secretariat;
- the Statutory Auditor.
CHAPTER ONE: THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Article 11: COMPOSITION
The AGM is composed of all active members. Honorary members take part in the sessions of the General Assembly and are heard there, unless the latter objects, but they do not have the right to vote.
Article 12 : ALLOCATIONS
The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the association. Its main functions consist of :
determine the general policy of the Network;
control the financial policy, vote the budget;
decide on the membership of new members of the Network;
to fix the rate of the membership fee on the one hand and the rate of annual and exceptional dues on the other hand;
to create any subsidiary body necessary for the proper functioning of the Network;
to elect the President and the members of the EB;
to appoint the honorary members;
to amend the Statutes and the Rules of Procedure;
to take all measures necessary to achieve the objectives of the Network;
possibly appoint the liquidators.
CHAPTER II: THE EXECUTIVE BUREAU (BE)
Article 13: COMPOSITION
The EB comprises 20 members, representing the five major African regions, diasporas and non-regions.
The EO is composed as follows:
- the Chairperson;
- the Vice-Chairperson;
- the Permanent Secretary;
- the Deputy Secretary;
- the Treasurer General;
- the Assistant Treasurer General;
- Fourteen (14) members.
In the event of striking off, resignation, death or absolute impediment of one of its members, the EB has the faculty to complete itself at any time within the limits provided for below, unless confirmed by the next General Assembly.
Article 14 : ALLOCATIONS
Below are the terms of reference of the members of the EB.
The Chairperson: The Chairperson is the head of the EB and as such :
- he is the chief authorising officer of the budget;
- he convenes the GA and the meetings of the EB and ensures the implementation of the deliberations and decisions taken therein;
- he chairs all meetings and AGMs;
- he represents the Network in all acts of civil life and is vested with all powers to this effect;
- He is therefore entitled to take legal action on behalf of the Network;
- he signs jointly with the Treasurer General or failing that with the Deputy Treasurer General the cheques in the name of the Network;
- the President embodies the unity of the Network and ensures compliance with its texts;
- he is assisted in his task by one (01) vice-president;
- In the event of a vacancy in the presidency, the 1st vice-president convenes an extraordinary General Assembly for the election of a new president if the current term of office is longer than one year.
The Vice-President
He assists the President in the performance of his duties and replaces him in case of absence or impediment.
The Permanent Secretary
He is the administrative head of the Network.
In this capacity:
- he drafts the minutes of the deliberations and decisions of the General Assemblies and Executive Board meetings and doors them in the register provided for this purpose;
- he drafts the Network's correspondence;
- it ensures the custody of the archives of the association;
- he directs the sessions of meetings;
- he is assisted in his task by two Assistant Secretaries.
The Treasurer General
He is the financial officer of the Network.
In this capacity:
- he is in charge of collecting members' contributions;
- he is in charge of the management of the Network's assets;
- he makes all payments and collects debts;
- it keeps regular accounts of all operations carried out and reports to the EB. He countersigns the Network's cheques.
- he is assisted in his task by an assistant. He is required to provide a quarterly report to the EB.
The Statutory Auditors
- review and monitor the management of funds, documents and financial reports at least once a year and as they deem necessary;
- control the management of the Executive Board;
- review and advise on the financial policy of the network;
- report to the General Assembly.
TITLE V: CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY AND ELECTIONS
CHAPTER 1: ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Article 15: ELECTOR QUALITY
Every active member of the Network shall be entitled to vote.
Article 16: CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY OF THE PRESIDENT
Any member of the Network is eligible for the position of President:
- of good character and probity;
- up to date with his or her membership fees.
Article 17: The election of the President and the members of the EB shall be by consensus.
TITLE VI: RESOURCES
Article 18: COMPOSITION OF RESOURCES
They consist of:
- Membership fees,
- subsidies,
- donations and legacies,
- the resources paid by benefactor members (donations resulting from philanthropic actions).
Article 19: The rate of annual dues is set by the GA.
Article 20: Contributions are received by the Treasurer General no later than January 30 of the current year.
TITLE VII: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Article 21:
In the event of conflict between members, the EB acts as mediator to find solutions in compliance with the statutes and rules of procedure.
Article 22:
Each member who infringes the provisions of the statutes and regulations is liable to the following sanctions:
- warning;
- reprimand;
- temporary suspension or expulsion;
- striking off the roll.
Article 23:
Membership is lost by :
- resignation;
- striking off;
- death.
Article 24:
The main grounds for expulsion are:
- non-payment of dues;
- financial mismanagement;
- serious violations of the apolitical character of the association.
Done and adopted by the General Assembly
In Luanda, September 21, 2019
The Permanent Secretary
Jean-Noël LOUCOU
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