STGDP is an organization that was formed on the Gambian Independence Day,
February 18, in 2004 after months of intense online chatter among Gambians and
Friends of the Gambia throughout the Diaspora. It was formally launched on the
campus of Morehouse College in Atlanta - Martin Luther King, Jr.'s alma mater.

THE CONSTITUTION

The Save The Gambia Democracy Project is an organization whose goals are to
create an environment in the Gambia within which democracy and all its
instruments can be nurtured and enhanced for a better Gambia. STGDP, as its
acronym, is committed to furthering the aforementioned goals through all legal
means. STGDP shall accommodate all Gambians and friends of the Gambia regardless
of their religious, economic, regional, social, political or ethnic background.


NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION

Save The Gambia Democracy Project - STGDP

Website: http://www.sunugambia.com



AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To contribute to the restoration of democracy and rule of law to the Gambia.


2. To work closely with civic organizations and political parties for the
restoration of democracy

3. and the rule of law.

4. To lobby and seek help with international organizations committed to the
spread of democracy.

5. To make constructive engagement with Gambian leadership and government of the
country to put in place the institutions of democracy.

6. To raise funds and finance campaigns that will bring about democracy in the
Gambia.

7. To work closely with media houses to raise awareness of people rights,
liberties and taking ownership of their lives

8. To work closely with all Gambian organizations in the Diaspora and at home in
order to raise awareness and fight to protect constitutional rights of all
Gambians.

9. To engage the IEC and assist in political programs (registration efforts and
other elections processes)

10. To ensure that any government meets the needs of the Gambians in health,
agricultural, economic, educational and social areas.



MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership is open to all Gambians and friends of the Gambia.

2. All active members shall be eligible to vote.

3. Active membership constitutes and is limited to showing considerable interest
in all efforts by the organization and contributing financially to all
endeavors.

4. Financial contribution can be any amount.

5. Every Gambian and friends of the Gambia reserve the right to participate
fully in every effort of this organization.



MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS AND DUES:

A member is anyone who participates in all efforts of this organization and also
contributes financially regardless of amount.

Any member is eligible for any position or responsibility geared towards running
or furthering the goals of this organization.

Assigned members shall vote on any disbursements.

One member one vote is the rule.

Any member has the right to nominate, be nominated, elect or be elected.

A member has the right to be heard by all committees or general member body, and
has the right to express an opinion without running the risk of being insulted
or treated wrongly.

Any member elected to any position must within three days send an acceptance or
rejection letter to the Secretary General.



ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

GENERAL BODY:

This constitutes all members of the organization.

A. The body should meet at least once a year.

B. This body elects the Management Committee.



THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:

A Management Committee shall be elected and given a mandate to manage the
affairs of the organization.

A. The duty to hear and approve all requests for funds.

B. To direct all plans and activities of the organization through Regional
Coordinators.

C. To prepare the budget of the organization.

D. The management shall be given the power to co-opt at least three people into
the Management E. Committee whenever needed.

F. The management committee shall serve for one year. No official shall be
re-elected more than once.

The following elected officer positions shall constitute the Management Committee:

A. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson

B. Secretary General

C. Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer

D. Public Relations

E. Audit Committee

F. Regional Coordinators

G. Funding Committee

H. Political Liaison



The CHAIRPERSON:

A. Shall co-ordinate and preside over all meetings of the Management Committee.

B. If the need arises, shall call emergency meetings for the Management Committee.

C. Shall be the leader of the organization.

D. Shall be a member of the Management Committee.

E. Shall be among the signatories to the account of the organization.



THE VICE-CHAIRPERSON:

A. Shall assume responsibilities of the Chairman



THE SECRETARY GENERAL:

A. Shall be responsible for coordinating all meetings

B. Shall be responsible for putting together meeting agenda

C. Shall be responsible for distributing minutes and correspondence to the
Management and members of the organization.

D. Shall be responsible for general administration and correspondence.



THE TREASURER AND ASSISTANT:

A. Shall keep and be responsible for all financial records and valuables of the
organization.

B. Shall be responsible for collecting of funds and depositing it to the
organizations account immediately.

C. Shall collect funds from Regional Coordinators.



THE PUBLIC RELATIONS SECRETARY:

A. Shall be responsible for all publicity and marketing of the organization.

B. Shall be the spokesperson of the organization in consultation with the all
interested parties and stakeholders.

C. Shall be responsible for the promotion of the organization’s programs and
objectives with members and other organizations.

D. Shall be responsible for the organization Newsletter and other forms of
communication. (Electronic media).



THE AUDIT COMMITTEE:

A. Shall comprise of number of members to be determined.

B. Shall be responsible for all financial controls.

C. Shall review and audit all Bank statements.

D. Shall receive all financial information from the Treasurer.

E. Shall provide Audited financial report to the Management Committee.

F. Shall review decisions to ensure compliance with organization’s statues and
objectives.



REGIONAL COORDINATORS:

A. Shall be responsible for collecting member dues in their respective regions.


B. Shall be the main contact person for members in the different regions

C. Shall help create regional organizations that mirror the STGDP

D. Shall submit report and funds collected to Treasurer

E. Shall coordinate with the Public Relations Secretary in the promoting and
marketing of the Organization.



FUNDING COMMITTEE:

A This committee shall consist of number of people to be determined.

B The members of the committee shall be voted in.

D. The members of the committee’s main work will be to come up with fundraising
ideas and strategies to be given to Regional Coordinators.

E. This committee shall verify the amount of money raised from all fundraising
ventures before it is handed to the treasurer.



POLITICAL LIAISON:

A. Shall coordinate efforts with the various political parties in the Gambia.


B. Shall communicate the needs of the political parties in the Gambia to the
Management Committee.

C. Shall communicate the recommendations and expectations of the Management
Committee to the political parties in the Gambia.



ORGANISATION BY-LAWS:

A. All members of the organization have a right to support a political party of
their choosing

B. STGDP shall not have any party affiliation, and is only driven by issues that
are anchored within the principles of safeguarding democracy and rule of law.


C. No officer shall use the organization to further an agenda that directly
benefit a political party.

D. The STGDP constitution is supreme to any other party platform or
constitution.

E. All members of the management committee have to be conscious of their
position as representative of STGDP, and to avoid taking positions that can be
seen as a conflict of interest, or pose to challenge the constitution of the
organization.

F. STGDP shall only engage in political activities that are non-violent and
legal.

G. STGDP shall not support or be part of efforts that would lead to usurpation
of power from a democratically elected government.

H. STGDP shall not pursue activities that are personality driven, or launch
political vendettas against personalities.



THE ASSOCIATION ACCOUNT

The Association’s account shall be demand-deposit type held in a federally
chartered financial institution in an agreed State of the United States or
country.

The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer shall be the only
authorized signatories to the Association’s Accounts. No one of the officers may
attach his or her signature on any instrument to be drawn from the accounts of
the Association without the knowledge of all, and the participation of one of
the officers.

No member may orally or in written form bind the Association in any form of
contract with third parties: implicitly or explicitly.


AMENDMENTS AND THE DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION:

Amendments of the Constitution can be done when it is deemed necessary. Any
member wishing to make amendments shall submit the proposal to the Management
Committee at least one month in advance. The Chairperson shall submit the
proposal to all members who are active participants. Amendments shall be carried
by a two-third majority of those present.

No member shall have the right to end this organization. All members have an
obligation to preserve the existence of the organization.

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