The Taproot Foundation CONSTITUTION 1 NAME The charity’s name is TAPROOT 2 THE PURPOSE OF THE CHARITY IS: To serve underprivileged, marginalized, or victimized children/students/ women by providing them with guidance, exposure, and financial aid to overcome their circumstances. To create opportunities to explore extra-curricular activities as well as academic qualifications of children/student
s. To empower women in order to improve their mental, financial and social wellbeing. 3 OFFICE BEARERS The charity shall be managed by a committee of 4 office bearers who are appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the charity namely the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. 4 CARRYING OUT THE PURPOSES In order to carry out the charitable purposes, the office bearers have the power to: (1) raise funds, receive grants and donations (2) apply funds to carry out the work of the charity (3) co-operate with and support other charities with similar purposes (4) do anything which is lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes 5 MEMBERSHIP The charity shall have a membership. People who support the work of the charity and are aged 18 or over, can apply to the office bearers to become a member. Once accepted by the office bearers, membership lasts for 3 years and may be renewed. The office bearers will keep an up-to-date membership list. The office bearers may remove a person’s membership if they believe it is in the best interests of the charity. 6 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - AGM (1) The AGM must be held every year, with 14 days notice given to all members telling them what is on the agenda. (2) There must be at least 2 members present at the AGM. (3) Every member has one vote. (4) The office bearers shall present the annual report and accounts. (5) Any member may stand for election as a office bearer. (6) Members shall elect between 3 and 5 office bearers to serve for the next year. They will retire at the next AGM but may stand for re-election. 2 7 OFFICE BEARER MEETINGS (1) Office bearers must hold at least 3 meetings each year. At their first meeting after the AGM they will elect a chair, treasurer and secretary. Office bearers may act by majority decision. (2) At least 2 office bearers must be present at the meeting to be able to take deci sions. Minutes shall be kept for every meeting. (3) If office bearers have a conflict of interest they must declare it and leave the meeting while this matter is being discussed or decided. (4) During the year, the office bearers may appoint up to 2 additional office bearers. They will stand down at the next AGM. (5) The office bearers may make reasonable additional rules to help run the charity. These rules must not conflict with this constitution or the law. 8 MONEY AND PROPERTY (1) Money and property must only be used for the charity’s purposes. (2) Office bearers must keep accounts. The most recent annual accounts can be seen by anybody on request. (3) Office bearers cannot receive any money or property from the charity, except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses. (4) Money must be held in the charity’s bank account. All cheques must be signed by 2 office bearers. The office bearers may authorize one office bearer to conduct and control internet banking. 9 GENERAL MEETINGS If the Office bearers consider it is necessary to change the constitution, or wind up the charity, they must call a General Meeting so that the membership can make the decision. Office bearers must also call a General Meeting if they receive a written request from the majority of members. All members must be given 14 days notice and told the reason for the meeting. All decisions require a two third majority. Minutes must be kept. (1) Winding up - any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be given to a charity with similar purposes to this one. (2)Changes to the Constitution - can be made at AGMs or General Meetings. No change can be made that would make the organizational no longer a charity. (3)General Meeting - called on written request from a majority of members. (4)Office bearers may also call a General Meeting to consult the membership 3 10 SETTING UP THE CHARITY This constitution was adopted on 27th March 2022 by the people whose signatures appear below. They are the first members of the charity and will be the office bearers until the AGM, which must be held within one year of this date.
