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CONSTITUTION FOR NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH NETWORK FOR EASTERN AND CENTRAL AFRICA (KENYA BRANCH)
This constitution may be cited as the Constitution for the Natural Products Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (Kenya Branch).
1. NAME
The name of the scientific body shall be Natural Products Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (Kenya Branch).
2. INTERPRETATION
In this constitution, unless the context otherwise requires:-
2.1 “Natural Products” shall mean the science of chemical substances derived from Biological sources.
2.2 “Annual or annually” shall mean the period between 1st January and 31st December.
2.3 “NAPRECA” shall mean Natural Products Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa.
2.4 “NAPRECA (K)” shall mean Natural Products Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (Kenya Branch).
3. STATUS
NAPRECA (K) shall be a learned, non-political, non-sectarian and non-profit making body which through its membership, shall co-operate and collaborate, with other scientific organizations in the promotion of research in natural products.
4. REGISTRATION
NAPRECA (K) shall seek registration in accordance with Kenya Laws.
5. RECOGNITION
NAPRECA (K) shall seek recognition from Kenya National Council of Sciences and Technology, Kenya National Academy of Sciences and any Kenya based international scientific organizations like UNESCO, AFSAU and ANSTI.
6. OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of NAPRECA (K) shall be:
6.1 To initiate and promote research in the area of natural products in Kenya.
6.2 To adopt and develop policies leading towards utilization and proper exploitation of natural products.
6.3 To enhance communication and exchange of scientific information between members through scientific meetings, panels, workshops, study-groups, colloquia, seminars, symposia and publications.
6.4 To promote research and training programmes for member researchers in collaboration with pertinent international and national bodies.
6.5 To foster and maintain research links with scientists in Eastern and Central African countries participating in research on Natural Products through NAPRECA.
7. MEMBERSHIP
7.1 MEMBERS
There shall be six categories of membership i.e. full, associate, life, corporate, founder and honorary members.
7.1.1 FULL MEMBER
To qualify as a full member one must have published at least one scientific paper in the area of natural products in a referred journal and must be currently engaged in research in natural products.
7.1.2 ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Associate membership shall be open to graduate students and to research staff engaged in natural products projects who may not have published a paper. To qualify for associate membership, the candidate shall be nominated in writing by two full members of NAPRECA (K) who shall provide the following information about the candidate: full name and address; degrees and honors (if any); occupation or appointment; interest, experience and publications (if any) where the candidate has been acknowledged to have contributed to. The election or rejection of a candidate for associate memberships shall be determined by the executive committee within three months after receipt of a valid nomination. The proposer and seconder of a rejected candidate may appeal to the next General Meeting which may overrule the decision of the Executive Committee after further due considerations of applications.
7.1.3. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
Honorary membership shall be open to any individual promoting the interest in Natural Products Research in Kenya. A full member may present nominations for honorary membership in writing to the Executive Committee which upon acceptance shall make recommendations to the General Meeting for final decision.
7.1.4 CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP
This shall be accorded to organizations which have substantial financial contribution towards the work of NAPRECA(K).
7.1.5 FOUNDER MEMBERS
Founder member status shall be bestowed upon those eligible persons for full membership at the date of the meeting at which NAPRECA(K) was inaugurated; had completed the application form for membership and undertaken to pay their membership fees and subscriptions.
7.1.6 LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Life membership may be accorded to full members willing to pay Kshs. 1500 in a lump-sum in advance to NAPRECA(K).
7.1.7 THE PATRON
A patron shall be nominated to give general guidance and advice to NAPRECA(K). He shall be a mature Senior scientist with vase wealth of knowledge in research in natural products, and will be accorded honorary membership status. He shall serve in this status for a period of three years renewable once only.
7.2 FEES
The membership fee shall be paid in Kenya shillings to the Treasurer of NAPRECA(K) at the rate of Kshs. 400 for full membership, Kshs. 200 for associate membership, and Kshs. 4000 for corporate membership.
7.2.2 The annual subscription fee shall be Kshs. 40 for full members, Kshs. 20 for associate members, Kshs. 400 for corporate members.
7.2.3 Payment of membership fees entitles a member to all privileges from NAPRECA and NAPRECA(K). The subscription fee shall be paid to the treasurer on election and thereafter on 1st January each year. No person shall be entitled to the privileges is his subscription is more than 6 months in arrears.
8. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
8.1 Any member desiring to resign from NAPRECA(K) shall do so by submitting his letter of resignation to the secretary which shall take effect from the date of receipt of such notice by the secretary.
8.2 Any member may be expelled from NAPRECA(K) and his name struck off the list forthwith if his conduct is deemed prejudicial to the good name of NAPRECA(K). Such expulsion shall be approved by not less than two thirds majority of the members (at the General Meeting) acting on the recommendation of the Executive Committee.
8.3 The Executive Committee shall have powers to suspend a member until the next General Meeting following such decision. A member suspended shall have the right to defend himself at the General Meeting before the expulsion is confirmed.
8.4 Any member whose subscription is more than two years in arrears without written exemption from the Executive Committee shall automatically cease to be a member of NAPRECA (K).
8.5 Any member whose membership is withdrawn by termination or his willful resignation forfeits all his benefits and privileges from NAPRECA and NAPRECA (K) and shall not reclaim refund of his contributions.
9. OFFICE BEARERS
NAPRECA (K) shall have the following office bearers who shall also constitute the Executive Committee:-
i. Chairman
ii. Vice Chairman
iii. Secretary
iv. Treasurer
v. Three Other Committee Members
9.1 DUTIES OF OFFICE BEARERS
9.1.1 THE CHAIRMANi. Shall preside over meetings of the Executive Committee the Annual General Meeting and any other General Meetings and preside on policy decisions.
ii. Shall act as NAPRECA (K)’s spokesman and representative in negotiations with national, regional and inter regional scientific and other related bodies as approved by the General Meeting or by the Executive Committee.
iii. Shall organize fund raising activities.
iv. Shall supervise duties of other office bearers and coordinate their activities.
v. Shall represent NAPRECA (K) in all legal matters.
vi. Shall authorize the use of funds.
vii. Shall act for NAPRECA (K) in such other ways as may further its objectives.
9.1.2 VICE CHAIRMAN
i. Shall act as Chairman when the Chairman is not present.
ii. Shall take minutes of all Executive Committee and of the General Meetings.
iii. Shall perform duties as may be assigned by the Chairman, the Executive Committee or by the General Meeting.
9.1.3 THE SECRETARY
i. Shall be the Chief Custodian of all office records.
ii. Shall take minutes of all Executive Committee and of all General Meetings.
iii. Shall work in close collaboration with the Chairman in running the routine activities of NAPRECA (K).
iv. Shall collect, collage and disseminate information pertaining to the activities of NAPRECA (K).
v. Shall be responsible for all arrangements for the Executive Committee Meetings, Annual General Meetings and any other meetings of NAPRECA (K).
9.1.4 THE TREASURER
i. Shall receive membership fees, annual subscription and any other financial contributions on behalf of NAPRECA (K).
ii. Shall account for all moneys received and make payments in accordance with policies established by the Executive Committee or the General Meeting.
iii. Shall submit audited accounts to the Annual General Meeting.
iv. Shall work closely with the Chairman in fund-raising activities.
9.1.5 THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
i. The three Committee members shall sit in all Executive Committee Meetings and be party to any policy decisions taken.
ii. Shall perform duties as assigned by the Chairman, the Executive Committee or the General Meeting.
10. ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS
10.1 The office bearers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
10.2 The office shall present an acceptable Annual Report and all office bearers vacate their seats
10.3 The Annual General Meeting shall appoint a Returning Officer to conduct the elections.
10.4 The candidates for offices will be proposed and seconded then elected by secret ballot.
11. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
11.1 There shall be an Executive Committee of NAPRECA (K) made up of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, the Secretary, the Treasurer and three Committee Members. Each of these shall be elected from among he fully paid up members at the Annual General Meetings. They shall hold office for three years. The incumbent members are eligible for re-election.
11.2 If any of the office becomes vacant for any reasons, the remaining members of the Executive Committee shall select one of their own members to fill such vacancy, until the next Annual General Meeting.
11.3 The Executive Committee shall manage the affairs and administer the funds of NAPRECA (K) in accordance with the constitution and the policies and directives issued by the General Meetings of NAPRECA (K) for the consideration and approval of the Annual General Meeting.
11.4 The Executive Committee shall fulfill the objectives of NAPRECA (K) by organizing educational and scientific meetings, panels, workshops, study-groups, colloquia, seminars and any other appropriate activities.
11.5 The Executive Committee may establish rules under this constitution subject to approval by the General Meetings to facilitate the execution of its functions.
11.6 The Executive Committee shall meet at least twice a year and the meeting shall be called by the Secretary at the direction of the Chairman. The quorum shall be at least 2/3 of the Committee Members.
11.7 The Executive Committee shall have powers to appoint other functional committees as need may arise.
12. THE GENERAL MEETINGS
There shall be regular Annual General Meetings of NAPRECA (K). The dates and venues for these meetings shall be determined by the Executive Committee and communicated to members at least one month in advance. The agenda for the Annual General Meetings shall be prepared by the Executive Committee and shall be dispatched to all members and to such observers as the Executive Committee shall decide to invite, not less than one month before scheduled date for the meeting.
Extraordinary General Meeting of NAPRECA (K) shall be called by the Chairman at the request of two thirds of the full membership, such meetings shall require a minimum notice of thirty days and the agenda shall consist exclusively of those items listed in the request for such a meeting.
The quorum for a general meeting shall be half of the paid up voting members.
SCIENTIFIC MEETING
The Scientific Meeting shall be organized by the Organizing Committee appointed by the Executive Committee. The Organizing Committee shall send requests for abstracts for the Scientific session at least three months in advance.
The Scientific Meeting shall be organized to coincide with the Annual General Meeting.
14. RESOURCES AND MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS
14.1 RESOURCES
The resources of NAPRECA (K) shall consist of :-
i. Membership fees and annual subscriptions
ii. NAPRECA Headquarters contributions
iii. Grants, gifts, donations, bequests, legacies etc form individuals, government, national parastatals, and private organizations, regional and international organizations which may be accepted on behalf of NAPRECA (K) by the Executive Committee.
14.2 MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS
i. All moneys shall be banked with an established bank, the account being in the name of NAPRECA (K).
ii. There shall be three signatories to all cheques: The Chairman, The Secretary, and the Treasurer.
iii. The funds shall be used under the direction of the Executive Committee; for stationery and other office supplies; organization of seminars, conferences, and any other meetings deemed necessary by the Executive Committee and remission to NAPRECA.
iv. Depending on availability of funds, the Executive Committee may give financial support to subsidize costs incurred by paid up members attending conferences in or outside Kenya.
v. The Executive Committee may give financial support (if funds are available) to research projects it considers are of great interest to NAPRECA (K).
vi. For funding of members as laid out in Section 14.2 (iv) and
vii. Members may apply in writing to the Executive Committee giving detailed reasons for the request of financial support.
14.3 AUDITING
i. An auditor shall be appointed by the Annual General Meeting and shall not be an office bearer.
ii. All NAPRECA (K) accounts, records and documents shall be open for inspection by the auditor at any time, who shall certify that they are correct. A copy of the auditor’s report shall be furnished to all members at the General Meeting.
iii. The books of accounts and all documents relating here to and a list of members of NAPRECA (K) shall be available for inspection by any officer or member of NAPRECA on giving not less than seven days notice in writing.
15. BY-LAWS OF NAPRECA (K)
The Executive Committee shall be empowered to make by-laws subject to the approval by the Annual or Special General Meeting to cover any matters not fully stipulated by the constitution and which do not require constitutional amendment. Such by-laws shall operate from the date of approval by the Annual or Special General Meeting.
16. AMMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
The constitution of NAPRECA (K) may only be amended by at least two thirds majority vote of the voting members at a General Meeting and will be submitted to the Registrar of Societies (Kenya) and NAPRECA for information.
17. DISSOLUTION
17.1 NAPRECA (K) shall not be dissolved except by a vote of total membership. If there is no quorum, the proposal to dissolve NAPRECA (K) shall be submitted to a further General Meeting which shall be held one month later. Notice of this meeting shall be given to all members of NAPRECA (K) at least fourteen days before the date of the meeting. The quorum of the second meeting shall be the number of members present.
17.2 NAPRECA shall be informed prior to dissolution of NAPRECA (K).
17.3 When the dissolution of NAPRECA (K) has been approved by NAPRECA, no further action shall be taken by the Executive Committee in connection with the objectives of the NAPRECA (K) other than liquidate all the assets of NAPRECA (K). Subject to the payment of all the debts of NAPRECA (K), the balance thereof shall be distributed in such other manner as may be resolved by the meeting at which the resolution of the dissolution is passed.