Constitution

for
AFFINITY 58

© January 2018
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 Table of Contents
Definitions...................................................................................................... 3
Pledge............................................................................................................ 4
Membership Declaration................................................................................ 4
Preamble:....................................................................................................... 5
ARTICLE 1: Name........................................................................................ 6
ARTICLE 2: Colour of Affinity 58................................................................. 6
ARTICLE 3: Logo of Affinity 58.................................................................... 6
ARTICLE 4: Core Values of Affinity 58........................................................6
ARTICLE 5: Objectives................................................................................ 6
ARTICLE 6: Membership............................................................................. 7
ARTICLE 7: Obligation of Members.............................................................8
ARTICLE 8: Meetings.................................................................................. 8
ARTICLE 9: Annual General Meetings.........................................................8
ARTICLE 10: Organs of Affinity 58............................................................9
ARTICLE 11: Powers and Duties of the Organs.........................................10
ARTICLE 12: Composition of Executive Member......................................11
ARTICLE 13: Requirements to be an Executive Member..........................11
ARTICLE 14: Elections of Executive Officials...........................................11
ARTICLE 15: Powers and Duties of Executive Director:...........................12
ARTICLE 16: The Powers and Duties of the Deputy Executive Director...14
ARTICLE 17: The Powers and Duties of the Secretary General................14
ARTICLE 18: Power and Duties of the Chief of Finance:...........................15
ARTICLE 19: Power and Duties of the Chief of Public Relations..............16
ARTICLE 20: Terms of Office of the Executive.........................................16
ARTICLE 21: The Board of Trustees..........................................................16
ARTICLE 22: Powers and Duties of the Board of Trustees.......................17
ARTICLE 23: Elections.............................................................................. 18
ARTICLE 24: Signatories to Affinity 58 Account......................................18
ARTICLE 25: Bureau of Accountability.....................................................19
ARTICLE 26: Powers and Duties of the Bureau of Accountability.................19
ARTICLE 27: Amendments.................................................................................................20
ARTICLE 28: Funding, Financing and Resource Mobilization..........................20
ARTICLE 29: Miscellaneous.............................................................................................21
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 ARTICLE 30: Dissolution.....................................................................................................22
ADOPTION......................................................................................................................................23

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 Definitions
Annual General Meeting means the annual meeting of the Assembly as set
forth in Article

Article means an article of this Constitution;

Associate Member means any organization/member which is admitted by

the Affinity 58
as an Associate Member in accordance with this Constitution

Board means the Board of Trustee of Affinity 58

Bureau means the Bureau of Accountability of Affinity 58

Executive Director means the leader and head of the Affinity 58 appointed
under Article

Member means all legal members of Affinity 58 as defined in Article 6 of

the Constitution

Regulations means regulations which shall be adopted by the Membership

in accordance
with provisions in this Constitution

Representative means an individual chosen by Executive of Affinity 58 to

represent it at
Assemblies, events, meetings, conferences and other functions at home
and abroad.

Special Motion means a proposal for a Special Resolution as described in

Article 16;

Special Resolution means a resolution of the Assembly passed by a

majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes represented at an
Assembly meeting and the notice of the meeting specified the proposed
resolution as a Special Resolution

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 Pledge
I, ……………………………………………………………………., on this day of
………………………………………………………….. 20……. pledge to uphold
and defend the Constitution of Affinity 58 and I will faithfully,
impartially and justly perform all my duties as a member to the best
of my ability.

Signed........................................................
............

Membership
Declaration
Being the highest legal document binding all legal members of
Affinity 58, enacted by all members and accented by the
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Executive Director and a
member on behalf of all legal members of Affinity 58. Every member
is equal and have equal right before the law. No one is above the
Constitution (law) and Affinity 58 reserves the right to take the
appropriate action to deal with any defaulting member.
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I ………………………………………… fully subscribe to the vision and
values of Affinity 58 and shall wholeheartedly uphold to the highest
degree possible the level of equality, mutual respect, impartiality,
transparency, accountability and solidarity required in the execution
of my duties and in my role and a member of Affinity 58.

Signed........................................................
............
Date:

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 Preamble:
This constitution serves as a binding document for all members of this
noble organisation which will be signed by trustees appointed by all
members. Affinity 58 shall be an organization constituting and
encompassing of only legally registered members and it is open/under
review to all old and new students of the International Institute of Islamic
Secondary School, the Institute; and College who are willing to adhere to
the binding rules and regulations.

Affinity 58; being a body/group mostly of current or past members of

International Institute Islamic Secondary School (renamed International
Islamic Secondary School) and the International Institute of Islamic
Studies; embolden by their individual history, values and legacy, prompting
and engendering their reasoning to initiate, stimulate and accelerate
programs for all members especially those challenged by
circumstance/event to gain or regain empowerment and growth, a premise
for the facilitation of grants/scholarships for the deserving member(s) in
pursuance of their academic programs, sustenance and repossession; and
the juristic approach in instituting and implementing viable socio-
economic and scientific projects that impacts/change lives or attracts
national and global premium to their course.

It is incumbent on all members to fulfil their obligations and must

regularly update their status within the matrix of Affinity 58 Constitution
to continue to keep being a member.

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 ARTICLE 1: Name

The name of the organisation/association is AFFINITY 58.

ARTICLE 2: Colour of Affinity 58

The colour of Affinity 58 shall be BLUE

ARTICLE 3: Logo of Affinity 58

The Logo of Affinity 58 shall be .................................................................

ARTICLE 4: Core Values of Affinity 58

EQUAL RIGHTS: Ensures all members have equal right regardless of
age and gender. Every member shall be treated the same way before
the law.

MUTUAL RESPECT: Requires every member to recognize the innate worth

of every member including their families. Respect shall be extended to all
regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, religion or religious denomination,
disability, race or level of education.

IMPARTIALITY: Views Affinity 58 as a not for profit organization that is

independent and devoid of politics interference or affiliation of any kind.
TRANSPARENCY and ACCOUNTABILIT: Compels every member is fully
accountable at all levels for the effectiveness of their actions and open in
their judgements and communications with others;

SOLIDARITY: Ensures every member stands strong is support of a brother

(or sister) and his (or her) family in time of need.

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 ARTICLE 5: Objectives
The objectives of Affinity 58 are:
1. To initiate, stimulate and accelerate viable and sustainable
programs, projects, researches, scholarship/grant on educational,
commercial, environmental, industrial and scientific pursuit for the
prosperity of it membership and brethren in Sierra Leone and
abroad.
2. To foster and strive to enliven the glory and honour of the reasoning
of Affinity 58 and its affiliate entities in reaching and achieving it
socio-economic welfare target for its membership.
3. To advance cooperation, harmony and genuine facilitation in
accessing our human rights and interests with other likeminded
entities upholding similar aims, visions and objectives in Sierra
Leone and beyond it shores.
4. To promote self-reliance, awareness, forthrightness, and solidarity
between and among members of Affinity 58. Independence and
solidarity shall be our modus operandi.
5. Affinity 58 shall press for peace and social justice amidst it kinship
and in it interface with others: the due process of the law shall be
amicable nexus in proffering the way forward and the arbiter for
settling disputes, electioneering process and procedures, and
questions of legal ambiguity surrounding the life span of this
organization.

ARTICLE 6: Membership
Membership to Affinity 58 is unfettered against gender, ethnicity, race,
physical/material challenges, and region or descent. To be a legal member,
one should fulfil the following criteria:
[i] Be a registered current or past students (Alumni) of
International Islamic Institute Secondary School, International

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 Islamic Secondary School, International Institute of Islamic
Studies and related schools
[ii] Has attained the age of consent (18)
[iii] Pays up membership fees and subscription and has signed the
pledge and declaration of Affinity 58
[iv] Is one sound mind and of clean criminal record
[v] Believes in the values of Affinity 58 and is committed to its
objectives, programs and agenda.

A person membership discontinues or ceases when:

[vi] He/she fails to meet, either intentionally or otherwise and for a
period of twelve (12) months or more, one or more of the
criteria set out in Article 6
[vii] A member dies, withdraws his membership, or is expelled due
to a serious breach of Affinity 58 Constitution and after
adjudication and a conviction is secured against him by the
Board of Trustees in consultation with the Executive.

ARTICLE 7: Obligation of Members

Every member of Affinity 58 shall:
[i] Abide by the constitution, honour its calls, letters, authorities,
and offices created by the constitution or any other law
approved by Affinity 58.
[ii] Uphold and bring into fruition the developmental ideals,
values, principles and the distinguishable status of Affinity 58.
[iii] Proscribe any act or omission that is likely to smear and erode
the integrity of Affinity 58.
[iv] Attend meetings called by Affinity 58.
[v] Adhere to all legal, financial, and ethical standards stipulated
by Affinity 58.
[vi] Abstain from squandering and misappropriating the funds of
Affinity 58.

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 ARTICLE 8: Meetings
[i] The Executive should meet at least once every month and
participation could be virtually or in person or as defined by
the Executive
[ii] The Executive should convene a meeting to be attended by all
members at least once every three months. Participation is
virtually or in person or as defined by the Executive
[iii] Decisions reached in meetings are adopted by a trouble-free
quorum 2/3 of those present, even in the event of an
emergency.
[iv] Emergencies and impromptu meetings could be summoned to
respond or address critical, technical or sensitive issues
hinging on Affinity 58 thematic ambit.
[v] A quorum shall be a-third of the expected member and shall
always be the framework for the ushering of any Executive
meeting.
[vi] The Chairperson of the meeting shall appoint a whip and
empowered him to maintain peace and good conduct during
meetings.

ARTICLE 9: Annual General Meetings

[i] All General Meetings (AGM) are to be attended exclusively by
the all members of Affinity 58. Annual General Meeting must
be held yearly at an identifiable location, date and a
hospitable environment backed with at least fourteen (14)
days’ notice and the agenda of the AGM should be given to all
members before the commencement of the AGM.
[ii] An attendance of a non-member/group shall either be certified
by Executive of Affinity 58 either in writing or by oral message

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 through a member; or through the invitation/goodwill of the
General Membership.
[a] A non-member has no voting right.
[iii] Every member shall have one vote in every meeting where
voting is required.
[iv] Members that attend a Meeting or Annual General
Meeting/AGM shall:
[a] sign an attendance register
[b] maintain themselves appropriately and desist from
acts and omissions that may breach the peace and
serenity of the meeting.
[v] The Executive Director or his representative shall be the
Chairperson for the AGM except otherwise. He/she shall
[a] Preside over all Executive and General Meetings.
[b] Commence and brings a meeting to an end.
[vi] Trustees shall present the Annual Reports and Affinity 58
Account during the AGM, giving detail analysis of its activities
for the reporting year.

[vii] Pursuant to Article 7(v), wherein the Executive Director is not

present for commencement of a stipulated meeting for reasons
beyond the knowledge or of unknown circumstances to the
members; the vice shall preside. In the absence of both the
Executive Director and the Vice/Deputy, the Secretary General
shall preside.
[viii] In crucial circumstances rendering the absence of the
Executive Director, Vice/Deputy, and the Secretary General; the
meeting shall be adjourned.
[ix] A reasonable and a valid excuse should be tendered by a late or
absent member for his/her absence; and for even his absence
for the next meeting where applicable.

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 ARTICLE 10: Organs of Affinity 58

[i] All the organs shall function within the mandate and ambit
conferred by this constitution. The Executive and Organs of
Affinity 58 shall comprise of only legal members. Affinity 58
constitute the following organs:
a. The General Assembly/ Membership;
b. The Executive;
c. The Board of Trustees/Advisory Committee
d. The Board of Accountability; and
e. Any other organ/outfit(s) as may deem fit to be set up by the
Executive in concurrence with the provisions of this
constitution.

ARTICLE 11: Powers and Duties of the Organs

[i] The General Assembly/Membership shall:

[a] Form the quorum of meetings. A quorum shall constitute
a third of the expected membership
[b] Decisions requiring simple show of hands or responding
yes/no shall be made by a simple majority of at least one
more ‘Yes’ indication than ‘No’ by the General
Assembly/Membership.
[c] Consensus on the matter under discussion shall that will
engender a decision shall be decided by simple majority
of members present
[ii] The Executive of Affinity 58 shall be empowered by the
Constitution of Affinity 58 to do the following:
[a] Formulate and the implement policies, projects and
programs for Affinity 58 in line with its vision and objectives

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 [b] Manage the day-to-day activities of Affinity 58 performance
and harmonization.
[c] Represent the general Assembly/Membership where
required
[d] Promote and protect the integrity and goodwill of Affinity
58
[e] Safeguard the Constitution, properties and members of the
Affinity 58

[iii] The Board of Trustees of Affinity 58 shall Board of Trustee of Affinity

Sierra Leone shall be the body supreme responsible for the vision,
mission and management of the Affinity 58. The Board of
Trustee shall comprise able, reputable and dedicated legal
members who has demonstrated leadership and experience in
managing people and organizations and embody the interest
and values of Affinity 58.

[iv] The Bureau of Accountability of Affinity 58 shall:

ARTICLE 12: Composition of Executive Member

The Executive of Affinity 58 shall comprise, but not limited to, the
following:
[a] The Executive Director
[b] The Deputy Executive Director
[c] Secretary General
[d] Chief of Finance
[f] Chief of Public Relations

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 ARTICLE 13: Requirements to be an Executive Member
To become an Executive member for Affinity 58 one should fulfil the
following requirements:
[i] Fulfil all requirements for membership as described in
Article 6
[ii] Active participant in meetings, events and functions held by
Affinity 58
[iii] Has declared interest in writing to the approved
election/selection body to take up a vacant position within the
Executive of Affinity 58
[iv] His reputation must not be of questionable imputation.
[v] Has fulfilled all the above and been duly elected by the
required number of votes to the post he/she was nominated for;
or has been endorsed by two-thirds of the membership for a
position he/she is expected to serve ad interim for more than
90 days

ARTICLE 14: Elections of Executive Officials.

[i] The General Election of the Executive members shall be

conducted after two years.
[ii] An Independent Electoral Commission or ad-hoc committee
shall be established/solicited by the General Assembly to
conduct such election, plebiscite, referendum, in consonance
with this constitution.
[iii] The Independent Electoral Commission /ad-hoc committee
shall be made up of persons with sublime moral bearing and
who have weathered the times. They shall conduct and one of
their members shall be the Chief Electoral
Commissioner/Returning Officer.

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 [iv] All aspirants must be nominated by a member of Affinity58 and
it must be seconded for it candidature to be validated.
[v] Candidates that have secured their nominations shall pay an
‘Election Participation Fee’ to be considered a registered
candidate for voting. The Election Participation Fee shall be
determined by the Executive/Interim Committee.
[vi] Elections shall be conducted by a secret ballot and a simple
majority carries the day.
[vii] Nominations, elections, and announcement of results
shall be in this order.
[a] Chief of Public Relations
[b] Chief of Finance
[c] Secretary General
[d] Deputy Executive Director
[a] Executive Director

ARTICLE 15: Powers and Duties of Executive Director:

[i] The Executive Director is a person who is tenable to hold the
office as Executive Director/Chairman and shall occupy that
office for no more than two terms of two years each whether
the terms are uninterrupted or not.

.[ii] The Executive Director/Chairman of Affinity 58 shall be the

person who has secured/pull the highest votes cast in that
particular election.

[iii] He shall be the custodian of this Constitution.

[iv] He shall be the Supreme/Head of Affinity 58.

[v] The Executive Director/Chairman is bound to be the

embodiment of positive and logical reasoning in Affinity 58
interface and teamwork with likeminded organizations in
Sierra Leone and in the Diaspora.

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[vi] He is empowered by the constitution to appoint members to
positions for which elections is not required; recruit or hire the
required personnel to provide goods and services to Affinity
Sierra Leone. He/she shall have powers including but not
limited to querying, suspending and dismissing such persons
in writing with clear reasons for action taken.

[vii] The Chief Executive is enshrined with the mandate and

goodwill of Affinity 58 to request for inquiry into inefficiencies
and ineffectiveness in the execution of the functions of
elected executive members or such matters that bring the
integrity of Affinity 58 to disrepute. He/she shall recommend
for investigation, suspension, demotion, removal from office or
dismissal from Affinity 58 to Board of Trustees/ Advisory
Committee, who shall make the final decision.

[vii] The Chief Executive shall not be empowered by the

Constitution to solely suspend, dismiss, demote an elected
member of his executive. Such suspension, dismissal or
demotion shall follow a vote of ‘No Confidence’ by the
Executive with at least two-thirds majority and endorsed by
Board of Trustees

[viii] The Executive Director/Chairman is bequeathed with the

prerogative in consonance with the Board of Trustees/Advisory
Committee to appoint and dispatch delegates/emissaries to
Affinity 58 other affiliates in Sierra Leone and abroad. This
Supreme Executive’s authority is extended to the
Chapters/Committees, conventions with international
organizations and other non-state actors in line with the vision
and values of Affinity 58

[ix] The office of the Executive Director shall be vacant:

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 [a] When the term of office prescribed in sub-section (i) of
section 15 expires

[b] When he discontinued his membership from Affinity 58; or

where the serving Executive Director dies, or resign or is
removed from office.

[c] His removal from office shall be originated from substantial

evidence corroborating his physical and mental inability,
coupled with his financial impropriate and serious behavioural
breaches; which shall be probed by the Board of
Trustees/Advisory Committee or its designated person(s) and
their findings and sanctions shall be forwarded to the General
Membership.

[d] The Executive Director that has been confirmed to be on

the wrong side of the law and blameworthy shall be
impeached/removed from office through a vote of no
confidence which shall be secured against him by no less than
two-third-2/3 majority of the membership of Affinity 58. This
decision should be taken at an extra ordinary meeting
convened and chaired by the Chairperson of the Board of
Trustees/Advisory Committee, after they have received a
published petition signed and by at least two-third 2/3 of the
membership of Affinity 58.

ARTICLE 16: The Powers and Duties of the Deputy Executive

Director

[i] Affinity 58 shall have a Deputy Executive Director entrusted

with the following:

[a] He/she shall be the principal assistant to the Executive

Director in implementing his contractual obligations

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 [b] He/she shall act in the absence of the Executive
Director.

[c] He/she is mandated to coordinate and standardize the

affairs and accomplishment of all the Organs and
Chapters of Affinity 58.

[d] Implement and bring to fruition any other duties or

assignment that may be conferred on him by the
Executive Director and Board of Trustees.

[ii] As soon as a vacancy arise in the office of Executive Director,

in retrospect with the provision laid down in Article 15[ix], [a],
[b], [c] and [d]; the Deputy Executive Director shall be
empowered to assume the office as Executive Director until
the remaining term of the Executive Director commencing
from the date of resignation, impeachment from office, or
death.

[ii] In the case where there are vacancies in the offices of both
the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director, hinging
on Article 15[ix], [a], [b], [c] and [d] as provided invariably
mandate the Board of Trustees/Advisory Committee to act.

ARTICLE 17: The Powers and Duties of the Secretary General

[i] There shall be a Secretary General for Affinity 58 delegated

with:
[a] The Secretary General shall be empowered to be the
administrative pillar, interlocutor, and custodian of the
correspondences of Affinity58.
[b] He is assigned to prepare, draw and design the
framework for all programs, including meetings,

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 correspondences, notices, and the calling for general
and executive meetings; in consultation with the
Executive Director/Chairman-who serves as his focal and
reference in executing his duties.
[c] He/she shall write, keep and present all records of all
minutes.

[ii] There shall be an Assistant Secretary General for Affinity 58

appointed by the Chief Executive to do the following:

[a] He/she shall support the Chief Executive in arranging

and coordinating appointments, meetings, events and
other executive functions
[b] He/she shall assist the Secretary General in the conduct
of the work of secretariat; follow up projects,
programme actives, meeting action points and in the
execution of other administrative duties.
[c] He is bound to perform all functions delegated to
him/her by the Chief Executive and Secretary General in
the good spirit of effective work flow.
[d] He shall act as Secretary General in his/her absence and
the two shall, until the need for expansion arise,
constitute the Secretariat of Affinity 58

ARTICLE 18: Power and Duties of the Chief of Finance:

[i] Affinity 58 shall have a Chief of Finance who:

[a] Shall be charged with the responsibility to regulate and

promote the financial astuteness of Affinity 58.

[b] Shall take delivery of monies; keep all records of all

incomes, financial securities, expenditure or withdrawal
from Affinity58’s budget.
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 [c] Shall put in orders and present periodic financial reports
of income and expenditure to the Executive and General
Membership of Affinity 58

[d] Shall ensure all transactions and expenditures are in

line with the prescribed financial procedures and in the
best interest of Affinity 58.

ARTICLE 19: Power and Duties of the Chief of Public Relations

[ii] There shall be a Chief of Public Relations whose duties shall
be in consonance with the Executive and the General
Membership of Affinity 58 in collecting, scrutinizing, and in the
dissemination of news within Affinity 58 Organs and Chapters
and beyond.
[ii] He/she shall be the outreach and communication mainstay of
Affinity 58, its Diaspora Relevant Chapters, youth groups, the
appropriate ministries, departments, agencies of government,
local and international non-governmental organizations.

[iii] He/she shall be responsible for engendering a positive and a

robust stance in bringing the media to the fore in postulating
the vision and objectives of Affinity 58 to higher heights;
exclusively the print and electronic media.

ARTICLE 20: Terms of Office of the Executive

[i] The term of office of any person or group of persons elected or

appointed to an executive position to serve Affinity 58 shall be
in office for no more than two terms of two years each
whether the terms are uninterrupted or not.

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[ii] Such person(s) that have served for two terms shall be eligible
for re-election only after serving at least two (2) consecutive
two-year terms outside the executive of Affinity 58.

ARTICLE 21: The Board of Trustees

[i] There shall be a Board of Trustees/Advisory Council which

exclusively comprised of three non-executive members. The
team of five (5) shall include:

[a] The Chairperson.

[b] The Deputy Chairperson
[c] The Secretary
[d] And any other two (2) members of the General
membership of Affinity 58 appointed to serve.

ARTICLE 22: Powers and Duties of the Board of Trustees

[i] Pursuant to Article 11 sub-section [iii] of this Constitution, The

Board shall make sure Affinity 58 is run in accordance with its Constitution,
guidelines, policies, values and regulations. It shall be the highest body of
management and decision making within Affinity 58. The Board shall p rotect
the special character and integrity of the Affinity 58 and be

accountable to the General Assembly when things go wrong.

[ii] The Board of Trustees shall ensure the safety and security of the assets and
resources of Affinity 58, including but not limited to its human, physical,
financial and goodwill resources. The Board shall also safeguard
resources for use only for the purposes of Affinity 58.

[iii] The Board of Trustees shall be the nexus and the point of
reference of Affinity 58, empowered to supervise, and oversee
the activities of the Executive, the relevant Chapters and
Affinity 58.
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 [iv] The Board is vested with the authority to approve or nullify all
proposed appointees for Affinity 58 executive positions.
[v] It Shall have supremacy to review and approve all reports
including finance and the operations of Affinity 58.
[vi] The Board of Trustees shall be mandated to engage in
oversight and supervisory undertaking on all of Affinity 58’s
legal entities, offices; be it socio-political, financial/economic
enterprise, and on any challenging legal issues that are of
interest to Affinity 58.
[vii] The quorum of Board of Trustees shall be of two thirds of it
membership.
[viii] The election/selection of the members of the Board of
Trustees shall be achieved at least a week before the General
Election of Affinity 58 Executive.
[ix] The Chairperson shall be signatory to the Affinity 58 Account.
[x] Shall set and, as needed, modify the vision, outcomes and
activities for Affinity Sierra Leone
[xi] Ensure a sensible and feasible Strategic Plan or program is
developed; being implemented in line with the vision and
aspirations of Affinity 58. It shall also approve and monitor the
Annual Plans.
[xii] Shall review, investigate or summon for such purposes as to
consider matters brought to their notice or requiring their
intervention
[xiii] Monitor, assess and evaluate the performance outcomes of the
executive as well as nurture the best possible competence in
them for be able to perform their duties daily. The Board shall
also review and manage risks and promote the achievement of
results.
[xiv] Exercise governance in a way that fulfils the intent of Affinity 58
by valuing and reflecting its vision, programmes and policies.
[xv] To maintain its duty of care and loyalty and no conflict of
interest, the Board shall fully delegate these responsibilities
to an elected executive or its appointed members to the extent
possible and in the spirit of effective and efficient execution of
those functions.

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[xvi] The tenure of Office of the Board of Trustee is five years, the
expiration of which one position becomes vacant and available
to the rest of the membership. Re-election as a member of the
Board of Trustees shall not exceed two consecutive terms but
shall be any number of interrupted terms.

ARTICLE 23: Elections

[i] With the exception only where the constitution provides, the
following positions shall be elected to offices for Affinity 58.
[a] The core executive positions as described in Article 12 of
this Constitution
[b] Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and other Board of
Trustee Members
[c] The Chief of Accountability for the Bureau of Accountability
[ii] All elections shall be free, fair and independent.
[iii] A committee comprising the Chief Electoral Commissioner
shall be voted by the General Assembly to conduct such
elections or such agency or department sourced to conduct
such election where there are concerns over the integrity and
fairness of all election process
[iv] The Chief Electoral Commissioner and the entire election team
must not be an aspirant/contestant for any of the positions at
the time of elections and must always maintain impartiality,
transparency, neutrality and propriety throughout the process.
[v] The Chief Electoral Commissioner shall be mandated by this
Constitution to declare elections results and must ensure
he/she does so in line with ethical standards expected of the
office of the Chief of Elections.

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 ARTICLE 24: Signatories to Affinity 58 Account

[i] The following are signatories to all financial accounts held in

the name of Affinity 58:

[a] Chairperson of the Board of Trustees

[b] Executive Director of Affinity 58
[c] The Chief of Finance
[ii] For the purposes of withdrawals to the maximum of twenty-
five million Leones (le 25,000,000.00) or its equivalent in
foreign currency, the Executive Director and Chief of Finance
shall sign the cheque or withdrawal slip. Any amount more
than twenty-five million Leones or in equivalent in foreign
currency must be signed all Principal Signatories with the
Chairperson of the Board of Trustee being the
principal/primary signatory.

ARTICLE 25: Bureau of Accountability

[i] The Bureau of Accountability shall comprise:

[a] The Chief of Accountability, and

[b] Any other two members elected/selected to serve in
the Bureau

[ii] Members of this Bureau of Accountability shall comprise of

three (3) members, with the Chief of Accountability elected by
the membership of Affinity 58. The person who secured the
highest votes in the election/selection shall be the Chief of
Accountability and Chairperson. The choice of the other
members of the Bureau ought to be ascertained in the rank of
the votes gained in their election.

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ARTICLE 26: Powers and Duties of the Bureau of Accountability

[i] The Bureau of Accountability shall be an independent and

impartial Bureau of Affinity 58 and a body charged with
safeguards and assurance responsibility as well as in leverage
the competitive and intrinsic advantages and values of Affinity
58 in its overall management and execution of activities and
projects.

[ii] The Bureau shall work closely with the Board of Trustees and
at no cost to report to the Executive of Affinity 58, except
where the Board approves

(iii) The Bureau shall discuss and bring to the fore/raise questions
of financial impropriety and poor performance on delivering
results in their probing, assessments, investigations,
evaluations and auditing of any legal entity/person in
connection or named in lieu of the subject of their work; and
not limited by the status of the person/office.

[iii] All reports, books, documents, receipts, invoices and records

recounting about the management and operations of Affinity
58 shall be made available to Bureau of Accountability at their
request without hindrance. Failure to comply with such
request within 72 hours of the request will constitute a breech
of protocol and subject to investigation

[iv] The Bureau shall conduct activities towards the verification

and validation of all reports (financial and non-financial), asset
and inventory records, deeds, and related documents of
Affinity 58 at least once every year and findings reported at an
Annual General Meeting or such meeting requested by the
Board of Trustees.

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[v] The Bureau shall conduct comprehensive accountability
stocktake for Affinity 58 account with due diligence at least
once every term and must be completed at a time three week
before the end of each term.

[vi] The Bureau of Accountability shall present all reports, except

where it could compromise its integrity or constitute conflict
of interest, to the Affinity 58 Executive preliminary or final
findings through the Executive Director, and after his
perusal/response; the report shall be laid to the Board of
Trustees for their take.

ARTICLE 27: Amendments

[i] This constitution shall be amended by a two thirds 2/3 majority
of the broad-spectrum of the membership of Affinity 58 that
avail themselves in a plenary meeting called for such
amendment, and to be chaired by the Board of Trustees.

[ii] Any changes to this constitution must be agreed by at least

two- thirds of those members present and voting at any
General Meeting.

ARTICLE 28: Funding, Financing and Resource Mobilization

[i] The primary source of funding for Affinity 58 is the fees,

subscription, pledges and contributions of its
memberships.

[ii] In addition to the above and for the purposes of

conveying of the vision of the organisation, the Board of
Trustees, Executive and Membership of Affinity shall
conduct or seek or participate in:

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 [a] Activities and events to raise funds, revenue,
receive grants and donations for Affinity 58

[b] Design, develop, formulate activities, events,

projects and programmes in line with the vision of
Affinity and seek donors and sponsors to fund
such initiatives

[c] Engage in anything which is lawful and does not

contravene the values of Affinity 58 and is deemed
necessary to achieve the purpose and vision of the
organisation

ARTICLE 29: Miscellaneous

[i] Assets: The assets of Affinity 58 are useful or valuable item, thing or
person owned, obtained or transferred by a person, government, organization
or company to Affinity Sierra Leone and regarded as having value and
available to meet run the organization, its commitments, or legacies.

[a] The assets of Affinity 58 shall include but not limited to

its buildings equipment, computers, vehicles, land, cash
on deposit, cash on hand, certificates of deposit,
commercial paper, treasury notes, inventory, loans to
members or non-members, loans receivables, mortgages
(receivable) held directly, mutual funds, notes
receivables, repurchase agreements, savings accounts,
share of funds in governmental or non-governmental
investment accounts or pools, state and local
government securities, time deposits, brand names,
brand recognition, broadcast licenses, computer
programs, computerized databases, contracts,
cooperative agreements, copyrights, customer

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 relationships, designs & drawings, distribution rights,
development rights, distribution networks, domain
names, goodwill, historical documents, joint ventures,
solicitation rights, supplier contracts, technology
sharing agreements, title plants, trademarks, trade
secrets, trained & assembled workforce, training
manuals, use rights - air, water, land.

[ii] Liabilities: Liabilities to Affinity 58 are financial or non-

financial obligations and/or commitments incurred or to be

incurred in running the business, events and in delivering on
its projects, programmes and policies. Affinity 58 is not liable
or responsible for any such obligation incurred by a member,
person or groups of persons in the name of Affinity 58 without
the approval of Affinity 58 or in conducting his/her personal
affairs.

ARTICLE 30: Dissolution

Affinity 58 retains its right to exist so long as at least more than one
legal member retains the desire to keep it going. The organisation
shall only be winded/dissolved when, during deliberations leading to
vote, all its legal members, present and absent (100%) either in a
meeting or such gathering unanimously agree to end its existence.
In the event of winding up, any assets remaining remaining after all
debts have been paid shall be given/transferred to another
organisation(s) with similar aims.

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ADOPTION

This constitution was adopted at a general meeting of the organisation on

………………………………………………………………………………………………… {Date}

Signed by:

………………………………………. ……….. …………………………………………….

Chair, Board of Trustees Executive Director
or designated person or designated person

Name: Name:
Date: Date:

…………………………………………………………………
Selected Representative of Non-executive member
Name:
Date:

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