ARTICLE (1) NAME
The name of the organisation shall be known as “JOURNALISTS FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH
ARTICLE (2) REGISTRATION
The body shall be registered under the Nigerian laws
ARTICLE (3) VISION
JFC INTERNATIONAL wants to be recognized nationally and internationally as the organisation for Christian journalists and other media professionals in Nigeria.
ARTICLE (4) MISSION
JFC INTERNATIONAL is principally to spread the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ among Journalists and other media practitioners.
ARTICLE (5) LOCATION
I. The Headquarters of JFC INTERNATIONAL shall be located in Lagos, Nigeria; save when the need arises to decide otherwise.
II. The organisation shall have members and chapters in each state of the federation of Nigeria and other countries.
ARTICLE (6) STATEMENT OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE MEMBERS
In all its activities, pronouncements and programmes, the organisation shall situate the Nigerian and the world, especially those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, the existence of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
ARTICLE (7A) AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
As ambassadors of Christ, (II Corinthians 5:20), JFC INTERNATIONAL aims to among others promote: exemplary Christian conduct in various media organisations and other places of work, Christian ethics in the media, activities of Christian organisations, engage and identify with programmes that can engender the growth and development of Christianity and the media at both local and international levels.
ARTICLE (7B) METHODS OF ACHIEVING OBJECTIVES
The organisation shall among others:
(1) Organise regular fellowship meetings for Christian journalists and allied professionals for spiritual edification, career development and networking with a view of positioning them to be vessels of God as they perform their professional duties
(2) Organise trainings for Christian journalists and allied professionals to enhance the media profession.
(3) Establish resource centers for collection, processing and dissemination of
Information on media and Christian issues.
(4) Publish magazines, newsletters, bulletins, booklets, books, production of
documentaries and other audio –visual materials, in DVDs, VCDs, CD-ROMs,
video and audio tapes on media and Christian issues.
(5) Partner and cooperate with relevant institutions and bodies in Nigeria and beyond.
(6) Provide relevant assistance to Christian organisations in media development and other related issues.
(7) Organise award ceremony (ies) to honour and recognise excellent media practice.
(8) Establish an Institute of Christian Communication to educate, and promote excellent communication skills among members and other Christians
(9) Engage the services of competent person(s) or corporate bodies on full time or contract basis, in other to achieve its aims and objectives as approved by the General Executive Council (GEC).
(10) Organise National and International conferences and conventions as at when necessary.
ARTICLE (8) MEMBERSHIP:
Criteria and Categories
(i) Membership of the body is open to journalists and other media practitioners in Nigeria and beyond. Membership is also open to other organisations that have demonstrated practical commitment to the cause of using the media to promote the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(ii) There shall be four categories of membership namely:
a) Full membership: Shall be open to all journalists other media practitioners in Nigeria committed propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ.
b) Honorary membership: Shall be open to individuals who believe in articles 6 & 7 of this constitution and with demonstrable interest in and commitment to the aims and objectives of the organization.
c) Corporate membership: Shall be open to institutions, organisations and bodies with similar objectives or with demonstrable interest in and commitment to the activities of JFC INTERNATIONAL and its objectives.
d) Student membership: Shall be open to students who are studying media related courses in tertiary institutions.
e) Application procedures and other membership criteria shall be as determined by the General Executive Council.
F) The power will be vested in the General Executive for the determination
Of the cessation or termination and subsistence of the membership category.
(iii) Members shall pay annual dues, fees and levies (as duly approved
and decided by the General Executive Council) and take active part in at least
25 percent of all annual programmes, meetings and activities of the
organisation, as a requirement for continuous membership which is renewable
on the first day the new year, or as may be decided upon by the General
Executive Council.
(iv) Formal Admission of prospective members shall be through any or all the
following:
ARTICLE (9) ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
a) A prospective member shall be sponsored by any of the active members of JFC INTERNATIONAL
b) Every intending member shall be required to attend meetings or participate in the activities of JFC INETRNATIONAL
c) A prospective member shall get to be a bonafide member status after a formal induction at any of the general meeting of the organisation either at the Headquarters level or at the chapter level.
Or as contained in ARTICLE 8 (iii) above.
e) Members may be called upon to make voluntary contributions to the fund of JFC INERTNATIONAL at a rate to be determined from time to time by the consensus among the board of trustees.
ARTICLE (9): ORGANS OF THE ORGANISATION
The under listed shall be the principal organs of the ORGANISATION:
a. The Board of Trustees
b. The General Executive Council (GEC)
c. The State Executive Council (SEC)
d. The Local Chapel Representatives
ARTICLE (10) REGISTERED TRUSTEES
I. The Trustees of JFC INTERNATIONAL, to satisfy statutory provisions as stipulated in the Company and Allied Matters Decree No 1 of 1990, Part C, shall be appointed at the General Meeting by 2/3 majority votes of members present.
II. Such Trustees shall not be less than FIVE in number including the Founder and or the President and shall be known as the Registered Trustees of JFC INTERNATIONAL.
III. A Trustee may cease to hold office only if he or she:
a) Resigns his or her office
b) Ceases to be a Registered Trustee of JFC INTERNATIONAL
c) Becomes insane
d) Is officially declared bankrupt
e) Is convicted of a criminal offense involving dishonesty by a court of competent jurisdiction
f) Is recommended for removal from office by the Board of trustees and majority vote of members present at any general meeting of the organisation
g) If he/she renounces the Christian faith.
IV. Upon a vacancy occurring among the Registered Trustees, the founder and President in consultation with members shall nominate another eligible candidate as a Registered Trustee of the JFC INTERNATIONAL in Nigeria and beyond
V. The Trustees shall have a common seal
VI. Such common seal shall be kept in the custody of the secretary who shall produce it when required for use by the Trustees.
VII. All documents to be executed by the Trustees shall be signed by at least two (2) of them and sealed with the Common seal
VIII The Board shall appoint a member of the board of Trustees to act as its Secretary.
IX. The Trustees shall apply to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Certificate of Incorporation under the Companies Allied Matters Decree No 1 of 1990 Part C.
X. If such certificate is granted, the Trustees shall have power to accept and hold in trust, all land and assets belonging to JFC INTERNATIONAL and to acquire land and solicit for assets on behalf of the organisation subject to such conditions as the Commission may impose.
ARTICLE (11) THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC)
JORNALISTS FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL shall be managed by the General Executive Council who shall be made up of not less than seven (7) members as follows :
• The President
• Vice President
• General Secretary
• Director of Finance
• Director of Programmes
• Director of Membership
• Chaplain General
ARTICLE (12) OFFICES AND FUNCTIONS OF NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
I. To serve as the highest ruling, policy-making body of the ORGANISATION.
II. To administer all activities and programmes for and on behalf of the organisation, and shall be responsible for the judicious management of all its properties, funds, donations, gifts etc.
III. To submit annual evaluations and projections of JFC INTERNATIONAL programmes to the Registered Trustees.
IV. To adopt a budget in line with the letters and spirit of this Constitution.
V. Approval of programmes, budgets, employment confirmation, appointment and transfer of ORGANISATION staff.
VI. Discipline of organisation staff.
VII. To carry out any such additional duties as may be conferred on it by the Constitution
ARTICLE (13) DUTIES OF GENERAL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
(a) THE PRESIDENT
(i) He shall be Chair of the Board of Trustees
(ii) He shall be a member of the Registered Trustees
(ii) He shall perform any or all other duty/duties required of him under the
Constitution.
(iv) He shall preside over all executive meetings of the ORGANISATION
(v) He shall preside at all conventions and meetings of the organization
(vi) He shall authorize and assent to all official expenditure and be a mandatory signatory to the organisation’s bank account.
(vii) He shall summon all meetings of the Board of Trustees and General Executive Council (GEC) by self or through his instruction to the Secretary-General.
(b) THE VICE PRESIDENT
(i) He/She shall deputize for the President in his/her absence.
(ii) Shall perform all other duties that may be assigned to him/her from time to time
(iii) He/She shall be a member of the Board of Trustees.
(iv) He/She shall only by president’s proxy be signatory to the organisation’s accounts
(v) Shall carry out any other organisation duties as may be assigned by the President.
(c) GENERAL – SECRETARY
(i) He/She shall be responsible for carrying out secretariat duties of the General Executive Council
(ii) Shall act for the Vice President in his/her absence
(iii) Shall issue official statements, releases, append signature on them
(d) DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
(i) Shall keep an accurate record of all incomes and expenditure of the organisation.
(ii) Shall be responsible for and supervise the safe-keeping of the organisation’s monies.
(iii) Shall be in charge of all fund-raising activities of the organisation.
(iii) Draw up budget projections for the organisation’s yearly programmes
and activities or as may be required by the General Executive Council
(GEC).
(iv) Send out proposals for funding or initiate actions to seek funding for the
organisation’s programmes and activities, with the approval of the
General Executive Council (GEC)
(v) Shall be a signatory to the organisation’s accounts
(e) DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMES
(i) Coordinate the organisation’s mobilization and sensitization programmes
and media projects
(ii) Be responsible for liaising with other bodies and individuals for the
Success of the organisation’s activities.
(iii) Plan and implement an annual schedule of other programmes and
projects to be carried out by the organisation, upon approval by the
General Executive Council (GEC).
(f) DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
(i) Shall be in charge of admission/recruitment of new members to join the organisation.
(ii) Mobilise members towards active participation in the organisation’s meetings and activities.
(iii) Keep a record of members’ financial standing and level of activity
(iv) Ensure the consistent membership development across Nigeria and other countries.
(v) Plan and executive a schedule annual membership development programmes/activities
(vi) Assist the Secretary-General in carrying out secretariat duties of the organisation.
(vii) He/She shall maintain a comprehensive register of various categories of
members admitted into the organisation and furnish a copy to the
General Secretary and President regularly.
(g) CHAPLAIN GENERAL
(i) He shall oversee the fellowship meetings of the organisation
(ii) He shall organise spiritual activities for members of the organisation.
(iii) He shall coordinate prayer meetings, counseling, intercessory
meetings and welfare programmes for members of the organisation
(iv) He shall carry out any other duties as assigned by the President.
ARTICLE (14) DUTIES OF STATE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
(a) STATE COORDINATOR
(i) He/She shall be appointed by the approval by simple majority of the General Executive Council.
(ii) He/She shall coordinate activities of members in each State of Nigeria or in each member country as approved by the General Executive Council.
(iii) He/She shall work mutually with other two officers to manage the affairs of the State Chapter or each member country as the case may be.
(iv) He shall render a written monthly report of the State Chapter activities in his jurisdiction, to the General Executive Council through the General Secretary
(v) He/She shall maintain a good public image and represent the organisation to the highest standard in the State Chapter or member country.
(vi) He/She shall be a mandatory signatory to the State chapter accounts.
(vii) He shall carry out any other assigned by the President.
(b) STATE SECRETARY
(i) He/She shall be responsible for carrying out secretariat
duties of the State Executive Council as directed by the State
Coordinator
(ii) Shall act for the State Coordinator in his/her absence
(iii) Shall be a signatory to the State Chapter accounts
(iv) He/She shall be a signatory to all official correspondence of the State Chapter
(v) He/She shall render and submit a monthly written report to the State Executive Council and copy the president.
(vi) He/She shall maintain a comprehensive register of member within the State chapter or the member country and copy the State Coordinator and Director of Membership regularly.
(vii) He/She shall carry out any other as assigned by the State Coordinator.
(C) STATE CHAPLAIN
(i) He shall oversee the fellowship meetings of the State Chapter
(ii) He shall attend to spiritual activities of members in the
State Chapter.
(iii) He shall coordinate prayer meetings, counseling, intercessory
meetings and welfare programmes for members of the State
Chapter.
(iv) He shall render and submit a monthly written report to the State
Executive Council
(iv) He shall carry out any other as assigned by the State Coordinator.
ARTICLE (15) DUTIES OF LOCAL CHAPEL REPRESENTATIVES
(a) CHAPEL REPRESENTATIVE
(i) He/She shall represent the organisation at the local media house,
Christian organisation or any other within the State Chapter or the
member country.
(ii) He/She shall maintain a comprehensive register of member within the Local
chapel or the member country and copy the State Coordinator and Director
of Membership regularly
(iii) He/she shall be a good ambassador of the organisation in his/her local
chapel.
(iii) He/She shall ensure the even distribution of materials to members in
his/her local chapel.
(iv) He shall mobilise members to attend all activities and programmes of he organisation at the local, state, national and international level.
(v) He/She shall propagate the organisation with the view to win and recruit non-members to the fold.
(vi) He/She shall render and submit a monthly written report to the State Executive Council
(vii) He/She shall carry out any other as assigned by the State Coordinator.
(b) ASSISTANT CHAPEL REPRESENTATIVE
(i) He/She shall assist the Chapel representative in the discharge of his/her
duties.
(ii) He/She shall act for and on behalf of the Chapel representative in his/her
absence.
(iii) He/She shall carry out any other as assigned by the Chapel representative.
ARTICLE (16) DISCIPLINE
(i) There shall be a Disciplinary Committee to deal with any erring officer(s) or member(s) of staff who violates the organisation’s rules and regulations, or acts against the spirit and letters of the constitution.
(ii) The committee shall comprise the President or designate and at least two other members who shall be subject to the National Executive Council in case of appointment and dismissal.
(iii) The committee shall be an ad-hoc committee.
(iv) The committee shall examine any allegation of misconduct against any member(s) and submit a report to the General Executive Council.
(v) Any case of misconduct by any member of the organization that is taken to the Disciplinary Committee would be regarded as being serious and could lead to the imposition of fine, suspension or expulsion of such member(s), depending on the gravity of misconduct, as recommended by the Disciplinary Committee and approved the General Executive Council.
ARTICLE (17) ELECTION, BYE-ELECTION AND TENURES
(i) Election into the General Executive Council (with the exception of the Board of Trustees) of the ORGANISATION shall be held every four (4) years during the General Meeting except that of the office of the Founder and President which is held for life.
(ii) An Electoral Committee shall be appointed by the General Executive Council for the purpose of the election
(iii) Only members who have satisfied requirements under Article 8(iii) of this constitution shall be eligible to vote or be voted for.
(iv) The General Executive Council shall have power to organize a bye-election to fill any vacancy in the Council within four weeks if such vacancy exists.
ARTICLE (17) VACATION OF OFFICE/COUNCIL
Vacation of office may arise in event of the occurrence of any of the following:
1. Cessation from membership of the ORGANISATION.
2. Resigns from office
3. Is declared officially bankrupt
4. Removal on ground of misconduct.
5. Convicted of a criminal offence
6. Is recommended for removal from office by the General Executive Council or Registered trustees and majority vote of members present at any general meeting.
7. Inability to perform due to ill-health.
8. By reason of death.
9. By reason of such term of office being expired except that of Founder and President which can only expire upon death.
ARTICLE (18) FINANCE AND ACCOUNT
1. The Finance of the ORGANISATION shall be made up of:
a. Free will offerings, donations, pledges, and subscriptions
b. Income could be derived from other means provided such mean/means are adopted by the GENERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
2. The ORGANISATION shall operate a Bank Account at the State level while other bank accounts can be opened at the national or international level as deemed fit by the General Executive Council or the Registered Trustees. The President, Vice President, General Secretary and Director of Finance shall be the signatories, for the purpose of withdrawal of money from the Bank(s) at both national and international levels while the State Coordinator, State Secretary and State chaplain shall be signatories to the State Chapter’s bank account.
3. The procedures for running accounts of the ORGANISATION shall be decided and made available to ALL responsible officers.
4. All banking and accounting documents shall be kept in a safe at the ORGANISATION’S secretariat/office.
5. Any officer(s) of the ORGANISATION who ceases to hold responsible position according to Article 18 of this constitution, shall cease to be a signatory to all/any of the ORGANISATAION’S accounts and shall change/withdraw his/her signature(s) from the ORGANISATION’S bank accounts in Nigeria and beyond.
ARTICLE (19) ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
All income and properties of the ORGANISATION shall be applied solely towards the promotion and realization of its objectives and no portion of the income or property shall be paid or transferred to the Trustees or agents of the ORGANISATION except as is permitted by or under Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.
ARTICLE (20) SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
Any disputes or difference which may arise as to the meaning or interpretation of this Constitution or bye-laws, or as to the power of the members of the General Executive Council or the General Executive Council itself, or of the validity of any election, or proceedings of the General Meeting, shall be determined by the decisions of the two thirds majority of the members of the General Executive Council, this decision shall be final and binding upon all members.
ARTICLE (21) BIENNIAL GENERAL MEETINGS /OTHER MEETINGS
(a) GENERAL MEETINGS
The organisation shall hold Biennial General meetings; the frequency of the meeting is to be decided at the National Executive Council.
Notice of the General Meeting shall be given to all members at least 21
(Twenty-one) days before the date fixed for the said meeting.
At the biennial General Meeting, the following agenda shall be conducted:
I. the presentation and (if accepted) the passing of the accounts for the previous financial year which accounts shall first be audited by the Auditor(s);
II. the President’s Address and Report of activities;
III. A review of the aims and objectives, and the methods of achieving objectives for optimal achievements of organization.
IV. And such other matters as shall have been communicated to the President in writing and included in the notice of the meeting by President to all the members of the General Executive Council.
Subject to the express provision of this constitution, a resolution of the General Meeting shall be passed by a simple majority. The President of the National Executive Council shall preside at all General meetings of the ORGANISATION.
(b) GENERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS
There shall be bi-annual meetings of the General Executive Council to deliberate and take any decisions that the General Executive Council may deem fit to make for the smooth running of the JFC INTERNATIOAL
(c) STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCL MEETINGS
There shall be monthly meetings of the State Executive Council/members to deliberate and take any decisions that the General/State Executive Council may deem fit to make for the smooth running of the JFC INTERNATIOAL
(d) LOCAL CHAPEL MEETINGS
There shall be regular meetings of the Local Chapel reps/members to deliberate and take any decisions that the General/State Executive Council may deem fit to make for the smooth running of the JFC INTERNATIOAL
(e) QUORUM
Quorum shall be formed when at least one-third of the members are present at General/State Executive meetings, however, the President may wave this provision under expeditious and exceptional circumstances or emergencies.
ARTICLE (22) POWERS OF THE CONSTITUTION
(i) The constitution shall be supreme and shall have binding effect on all members, including those of the Registered Trustees, the General/State Executive Councils and the Local Chapels.
(ii) No section of the Constitution shall be suspended or abrogated by any member of the Registered Trustees or any member of the General/State Executive Council or Local Chapel Representatives, or any member at all, against the letters of Section 5 ARTICLE 7, 8(a) and 14 of this constitution. Any inconsistency or inconsistencies shall be rendered void to the extent of its inconsistency or inconsistencies with the provisions of this constitution.
ARTICLE (23) FUNDS/PROPERTIES
i. The funds of the JFC INTERNATIONAL and all other projects, programmes and activities that JFC INTERNATIONAL may spearhead shall be the property of JFC INTERNATIONAL
ii. All properties acquired for JFC INTERNATIONAL in whatever custody, and of whatever nature shall belong to JFC INTERNATIONAL.
iii. The funds and properties of JFC INTERNATIONAL shall be applied for the purpose of attaining the aims and objectives of JFC INTERNATIONAL as prescribed in this Constitution.
iv. The main sources of funds of JFC INTERNATIONAL shall be voluntary contributions of organisations and agencies.
v. All funds of JFC INTERNATIONAL shall be kept in a bank account or accounts opened in the name of JFC INTERNATIONAL, the President and at least one other member of the General Executive Council or any other person or persons according to Articles (15) and (19) of this constitution shall be signatories to the said account or accounts.
vi. All withdrawals from the accounts of JFC INTERNATIONAL shall be based on estimates prepared by the secretariat and signed by the President and any other authorized signatory upon approval by the President.
vii. All correspondence with the bank shall be signed by the President and one other signatory to the bank account whose specimen signature shall be provided to the bank.
ARTICLE (24) AUDIT
1. The Governing Board shall appoint an Auditor or Auditors to audit the financial statements of JFC INTERNATIONAL annually.
2. The person (s) so appointed as an Auditor (s) of JFC INTERNATIONAL shall be one qualified as an Auditor under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.
3. The Auditor shall make a report to the members on the account examined by him/her and on all financial statements, copies of which are to be laid before JFC INTERNATIONAL at its Annual General Meeting.
4. Any Auditor (s) of JFC INTERNATIONAL shall have access, at all times to JFC INTERNATIONAL’S books, accounts and vouchers and shall be entitled to require from JFC INTERNATIONAL’S office such information and explanation as he/she thinks necessary for the performance of the Auditors duties.
5. The remuneration of the Auditor(s) of JFC INTERNATIONAL shall be decided by the General Executive Council.
6. If subscription or other contributions are to be collected from members, provisions should be made in the rules for keeping of accounts, their annual auditing and reporting of discrepancies to the General Executive Council
ARTICLE (25) SEAL
The JFC INTERNATIONAL Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a Resolution of the General Executive Council in the presence of at least two trustees and or such other person as the General Executive Council may appoint for the purpose, and these Trustees or other person as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the seal of JFC INTERNATIONAL is to affix in their presence.
ARTICLE (26) AMENDMENTS/ALTERATION OF THE CONSTITUTION.
i. This constitution may only be amended with the approval of the General Executive Council provided the amendment(s) to be voted upon shall have been mailed in writing to each members of the organization in good standing at least 2 weeks to the date of the meeting of the General Executive Council.
ii. Amendments can be initiated by any member and shall be tabled as a motion at the Annual General Meeting or any extra-ordinary meeting called for this purpose. A two-third majority of members must vote in favour of such motions for amendment.
iii. Such amendment(s) voted for may come into effect only after final approval by the General Executive Council and forwarded to Corporate Affairs Commission.
ARTICLE (27) SPECIAL CLAUSE
THE INCOME AND PROPERTY of JFC INTERNATIONAL when so ever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the ORGANISATION as set forth in this RULES AND REGULATIONS/CONSTITUTION, and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly, by way of dividend, bonus, or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to the members of the ORGANISATION.
PROVIDED that nothing herein shall prevent the payment, in good faith, or reasonable and proper remuneration to any officer or servant of the ORGANISATION in return any service actually rendered to the ORGANISATION but so that no member of the council of management or governing body shall be appointed to any salaried office of the ORGANISATION or any office of the ORGANISATION paid by fees; and that no remuneration or other benefit in money or money shall be given by the ORGANISATION to any member of such council or governing body except repayment of out-of-pocket expenses or reasonable and proper rent for premises demised, or let to the ORGANISATION provided that the provision last aforesaid shall not apply to any payment of any company to a member of the ORGANISATION may be a company in which such a member shall not hold more than one hundred part of the capital, and such member shall not be bound to account for any share of profit he may receive in respect of any such payment.
NO ADDITION, alteration, or amendment shall be made to or in the RULES AND REGULATIONS/CONSTITUTION for the time being in force, unless the same have been previously submitted to and approved by the Registrar General.
In event of the WINDING UP or DISSOLUTION of the ORGANISATION their remains, after the satisfaction of all it’s debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to, distributed among the members of the ORGANISATION but shall be given or transferred to some other institution or institutions, having objects similar to the object of the ORGANISATION and the body or bodies are prohibited from distributing it’s or their income and property amongst it’s or their members to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the ORGANISATION under or by virtue of the SPECIAL CLAUSE hereof, such institution(s) or institutions to be determined by the members of the ORGANISATION effect cannot be given to the aforesaid provision, than to some charitable object.