The
name of the society shall be the “UNAM Student Social Work Society” herein referred
to as ‘the society’.
Article 2: Supremacy of this Constitution:
This
constitution shall be the supreme document of the UNAM Student Social Work
Society and if any resolution, decision or action is inconsistent with this
Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and the resolution, decision or
action shall to the extent of its inconsistency be null and void.
Article
3: Aims and Objectives of the Society:
The
aims and objectives of the society shall be
·
To promote professional interest in the
field of Social Work to the students of UNAM.
·
To provide opportunities for interaction
between students, staff and the Social Work practitioners.
·
To ensure that social work students at
UNAM engage in ongoing professional development and capacity building
·
To build the leadership abilities of
social work students.
·
To represent the views of social work
students on matters of social policy and practice at local, national and
international level.
·
To develop a sense of pride amongst
social work students about the value of their profession.
·
To be advocates and get involved in
local, national and international Social Work issues and policies.
Article 4: Principles:
The
Principles of the society are:
·
Code
of Ethics for Social Workers in Namibia: We accept to
abide by the code of ethics for social workers in Namibia which serve as guidelines
for social work practice in Namibia.
·
Gender
equality: We accept that women and men are equal in all
aspects of social endeavor
·
Non-party
political: The society is open to persons with different
political affiliations, as long as they accept the principle of the code of ethics for social workers in Namibia. The
society will however not affiliate to any particular political party and
members cannot use society platforms to advance the interests of any particular
political party.
·
Anti-racism: We actively reject racism and any form of
discrimination on the basis of skin color or other biological features and will
actively work against any form of racism or racial discrimination in our
society.
·
Anti-tribalism: We actively reject tribalism and any form of
discrimination on the basis of cultural or ethnic identity and will actively
work against any form of tribalism or ethnic discrimination in our society.
·
Anti-homophobia:
Actively reject all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation in our society.
·
Secularism:
The society shall be free from any religious influence.
Article 5: Ethics:
·
We will abide by the code of Ethics for Social
Workers in Namibia at all times.
·
Our society affairs will be conducted in the
spirit of solidarity, mutual respect as well as frank, honest, and open
discussion of differences;
·
We will support, nurture, and care for the
well-being of all members.
·
We will practice of non-violence and hope to
achieve a non-violent society;
·
We are committed to openness, transparency,
equality, and accountability in our society.
Article 6: Membership:
Membership
of the UNAM Student Social Work Society shall be open to all registered
undergraduate and post-graduate students from the department of Social Work as
well as the staff of the Social Work Department. Further, membership is also
open to anyone who is interested in helping the society to achieve its aim and willing
to abide by the principles and ethics of the society.
6.1.Types
of Membership:
(a).
Full membership is
composed of students who are undergoing courses of training in social work at
the University of Namibia. Upon the payment of membership (which is N$25.00) full
members shall be entitled to all privileges and rights of members and shall hold
office, nominate or vote in elections.
(b).
Associate membership
is open to anyone, interested in the promotion of UNAM Student Social Work
Society. Upon the payment of membership fees
associate members shall be entitled to all privileges and rights of members’
except that they cannot hold office, nominate or vote in elections.
6.2.Rights and obligations of members:
(a)
Rights:
The rights of all members shall be:
i.
To participate in all
the activities of the society.
ii. To
attend the General Meetings, Annual General Meeting and Extra-Ordinary General
Meeting
iii. To
elect and to be elected to the Executive Committee
iv. To
have access to the financial records of the society during the Annual General Meeting
or upon the request for an Extra Ordinary General Meeting
v. To
have access to all information of the society.
(b)
Obligations:
The obligations of all members
shall be:
i.
To pay membership fees
on time
ii. To
further the objectives of the UNAM Student Social Work Society.
iii. To
attend the activities of the UNAM Student Social Work Society.
iv. To
observe the principles, ethics and rules of the UNAM Student Social Work
Society.
6.3.Termination of membership:
The
Society’s Executive Committee may decide on the termination of membership,
subject to ratification by the Annual General Meeting. If the Annual General
Meeting does not ratify such a decision, membership shall be duly reinstated.
Membership may be terminated for the following:
(a) Non-payment
of subscription fees.
(b) If
a member is found guilty of a grave misconduct violating the society’s
objectives and ethics. (prescribed in the constitution)
(c) If
a member resigns in writing he/she should hand the written letter/notice to the
Executive Committee a month in advance before the Annual General Meeting or
Extra Ordinary General Meeting. Upon which the notice shall be heard in the
Annual General Meeting or Extra Ordinary General Meeting for ratification.
(d) A
member has the right to appeal in writing against the termination of membership,
and present the appeal before the Executive Committee prior to the Annual
General Meeting. Upon which the appeal shall be heard in the Annual General
Meeting or Extra Ordinary General Meeting for ratification.
6.2. Membership Fees:
a)
The Annual General
Meeting shall determine the subscription payable.
b)
Fees will be based on a
sliding scale to accommodate the different categories of membership.
c)
Members shall be
notified of the amount so determined.
d)
Membership fees shall be
paid at the Annual General Meeting or within thirty (30) days thereof.
e)
Members who wish to pay
in advance fees beyond the period of one year may do so.
Article 7: Office Bearers:
7.1.Executive
Committee:
All office bearers should be elected at an Annual
General Meeting. Elected office bearer
shall form the Executive Committee of the UNAM Student Social Work Society, which shall consist of:
(a) President
(b) Vice-President
(c) Treasurer/Finance
Officer
(d) Vice-Treasurer/Finance
Officer
(e) Secretary
(f) Vice-Secretary
(g) Public
Relations Officer
(h) Vice-Public
Relations Officer
(i) Four
Additional Members
(j) Patron
(Guardian lecturer)
7.2.Quorum and Decision Making:
·
A
quorum of Executive Committee meetings shall consist of fifty percent.
·
A
quorum of General Meetings, Annual General Meeting or Extra-Ordinary General
Meeting shall consist of fifty percent.
7.3.Duties and Functions of Office Bearers:
a)
President:
The
duties of the president shall be to:
i.
Provide leadership and
direction to the Society.
ii.
Call meetings in
consultation with the rest of the Executive Committee.
iii.
Sign all public
statements to the media.
iv.
Ensure the
implementation of decisions.
v.
Liaise with other
institutions and interested parties.
vi.
Preside at all meetings.
vii.
Be the head of the UNAM
Student Social Work Society executive committee.
viii.
Have powers to call for
emergency meetings.
ix.
Represent the society
in all forums both national and international (such as the Student Parliament)
and uphold a positive image of the society.
x.
Shall present an annual
report to the Annual General Meeting.
xi.
Shall be co-signatory to
the society bank account (should the society open one).
b) The
Vice-President:
i.
Shall deputize/assist
the President carry out the above duties.
ii.
May perform any other
duties assigned by the President.
c) The Treasurer/Finance Officer:
The
duties of the Treasurer/Finance Officer shall be to:
i.
Keep accurate records
of all financial transactions.
ii.
Maintain an inventory
of all properties belonging to the society.
iii.
Issue receipts for
money received.
iv.
Obtain invoices and
receipts for money spent.
v.
Cash receipts and
maintaining petty cash.
vi.
Present financial
reports and audits at the Annual General Meetings or Extra Ordinary General.
d)
Vice
Treasurer/Finance Officer:
i.
Shall deputizes/assist
the Treasurer/Finance Officer carry out the above duties.
ii.
Carry out any other
duties as determined by the Treasurer/Finance Officer.
e)
The
secretary:
The
duties of the secretary shall be to:
i.
Ensure that the agenda
is drawn up, meetings called and minutes distributed.
ii.
Ensure that all
correspondence are answered.
iii.
Arrange and prepare
suitable venues for all meetings and discussion.
iv.
Keep the archives of
the society in good condition and up to date.
v.
Ensure that all legal
documentation of society are carefully kept.
vi.
Organize workshops for
the society in collaboration with the Executive Committee.
vii.
Organize training and
educational programs for the society.
viii.
Keep record of events
coordinated.
ix.
Keep attendance lists
for all meetings.
x.
Submit the names of new
Society Executives to the UNAM Student Parliament.
xi.
Carry out other duties
assigned by the President.
f)
Vice-Secretary:
i.
Shall deputizes/assist
the Secretary carry out the above duties.
ii.
Carry out any other
duties as determined by the Secretary.
g)
The
Public Relations Officer:
The duties of the Public Relations
officer shall be:
i.
Liaise with students
and other organizations.
ii.
Draw members to the
society.
iii.
Manage the flow of
information between the society and the public (never to make a mistake of
assuming that people know).
iv.
Promote the society to
the local community and beyond using all available methods of communications.
h)
Vice-Public
Relations officer:
i.
Shall deputizes/assist
the Public Relations officer carry out the above duties.
ii.
Carry out any other
duties as determined by the Public Relations Officer.
i)
Four
Additional Members:
The duties of
the four additional members shall be:
i.
Shall deputizes/assist
the Executive Committee carry out the above duties.
ii.
Carry out any other
duties as determined by the President and other members of the Executive Committee.
j)
The
Patron (Guardian Lecturer):
The duties of
the Patron shall be:
i.
Guide and support the
society.
ii.
Be a member of the
Executive Committee (shall not nominate or vote in elections).
iii.
Promote the image and
activities of UNAM Student Social Work Society.
7.4.
Termination of Executive Committee Membership:
Executive
Committee membership can be terminated:
i.
Only the general body
of Social Work Student Society can terminate membership.
ii.
This can be done at the
Annual General Meeting or at an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting.
iii.
Membership is
terminated when:
(a) The member
resigns.
(b) Non
Performance of duties.
(c) Misconduct.
(d) Loss
of membership to the society.
Article 8: Meetings:
Meetings
of the Society shall include:
8.1.Annual
General meetings (AGM):
The
annual general meeting shall be a meeting of all members of the UNAM
Student Social Work Society, held at least once within the first two months of
each year. The president’s annual report and the Treasurer’s financial report
will be received and discussed at the AGM. The election of new office bearers
at the end of their term or bye- elections will also take place at the AGM.
8.2.General
meetings:
General
meetings shall be called when the need arises such as when there are important
issues to decide.
8.3.Extra-ordinary
meetings:
An
extra-ordinary meeting may be held under the following circumstances:
·
When called by the Executive Committee.
·
When called by a
written demand by at least a third of total membership stating the reason for
the demand.
Article 9: Finances of the Social Work
Student Society:
The
UNAM Student Social Work Society is responsible for its own funding and
budgetary taking into account the Office of the Dean of Students and Student
Representative Council guidelines and regulations. The
Executive Committee shall annually submit budgets and financial statements for
Annual General Meeting approval.
9.1.Sources
of Funding:
The funding sources are:
a.
The University of
Namibia of the Dean of Students.
b.
Annual membership fees.
c.
Donations.
d.
Sponsorship.
e.
Proceeds from
fund-raising activities.
f.
Any other legal means.
9.2. Management of Finances
The
income procured shall be utilized in promoting the objectives of the society.
(a) The
Executive Committee shall ensure that proper accounting procedures and
maintenance of records as required per audit and prudent financial management.
(b) All
such books shall be under the supervision of the Treasurer/Finance Officer and
shall be available for inspection by the Executive Committee at all times.
Article
10: Amendments to the Constitution
(a) Amendments
and additions to this constitution shall only be effected at the Annual General
Meeting or Extra-ordinary General Meeting by means of a seconded motion in
written form, sent to the Executive Committee for circulation at least one
month before the date of the Annual General Meeting/Extra-Ordinary General
Meeting.
(b) Such
a motion requires the approval of a two third majority of registered members
present at the Annual General Meeting/Extra-Ordinary General Meeting. The
present registered members should exceed 50% of all registered members for the
approval to be ensured.
(c) Voting
shall take place by secret ballot or by showing/raising of hands.
