Draft Constitution

Dear Study Group members,
As promised, here is the draft constitution for your perusal and comments. Please post your suggestions, thoughts and ideas below in the comments, and please include your real name if at all possible so that we can keep track of contributions. Please email me if you have any difficulties. The deadline for comments is midnight, 2 August 2011. We look forward to hearing from you.

Proposed African Musics Study Group of the International Council for Traditional Music

DRAFT CONSTITUTION

1        Mission Statement

The key function of the African Musics Study Group (AMSG) shall be to promote, preserve disseminate and protect African musics and dance in all their aspects, functions and geographical locations, in Africa and in the diaspora; with a particular emphasis on indigenous/traditional African musics in sub-Saharan and diasporic Africa.

2        Organizational Plan

2.1     Executive Committee

All members of the Executive Committee shall be bona fide members of ICTM.

The Executive Committee shall comprise a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Vice-Treasurer.

All members of the Executive Committee shall serve 2 terms of 2 years.  The present Executive Committee’s term begins July 2011.

2.2     Responsibilities of the Executive Committee:

2.2.1  Chair

The Chair serves as liaison between the AMSG and the Executive Board of ICTM. The other key tasks include the following:

• Co-ordinate and chair the AMSG meetings;
• Report on the activities of the AMSG to the Executive Board of ICTM through the Secretary General;
• Prepare quarterly reports to members of the Study Group;
• Ensure that the Rules and Memorandum of the Study Groups as set out by ICTM are observed.
• Sets the agenda for both Executive Committee meetings and General Assembly in consultation with the Vice-Chair and Secretary

2.2.2  Vice-Chair

The Vice Chair shall deputize for the Chair

• Co-ordinate fundraising and publication activities
• Supervise the activities of the sub-committees
• Assures quality and manages disciplinary matters

2.2.3    Secretary

The Secretary shall serve as communications officer to both the Executive Committee and members of the AMSG

• Schedule meetings of the Executive Committee in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair
• Distributes the agenda for both the Executive Committee and the AMSG
• Records and distributes minutes of meetings within two weeks of the meeting date after approval of the Chair and Vice-Chair
• Prepare study group report for the ICTM bulletin in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the AMSG

2.2.4  The Treasurer shall:

• Be in charge of all financial matters concerning the AMSG.
• Submit quarterly statements of accounts to the Executive Committee. Submit annual financial reports to an auditor
• The Treasurer and Chair are to open a bank account bearing the name African Music Study Group, with the Chair, Treasurer and Vice-Treasurer as co-signatories. Each transaction must include the signature of either the Chair or the Treasurer and one other signatory.

2.2.4    Deputy Treasure shall deputize for the Treasurer

• In consultation with the Treasurer shall spearhead fundraising.

2.3    Members

·        Members shall pay membership dues as set annually by the Executive Committee

·        Members shall be encouraged to be bona fide members of the ICTM

·        Members shall have voting rights within the AMSG

·        Members are entitled to serve on the executive committee

2.4    Co-options

·        Members shall be co-opted to undertake various tasks as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee

·        Co-options to be supervised by the Vice-Chair

3           Subcommittees

Each sub-committee will be chaired by one or two members of the Executive Committee

·        Publications – Patricia Opondo, Marie Agatha Ozah

·        Fundraising – Mandy Carver, Marie Agatha Ozah

·        Collaboration and Patnerships – Rose Omolo-Ongati

·        Website – Alvin Petersen