Isedopeju Renewal Association (IRA)

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ISEDOPEJU RENEWAL ASSOCIATIO

WE THE MEMBERS of Isedopeju Renewal Association do hereby give to ourselves the following constitution: -

ARTICLE 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS

(1) Supremacy: This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall be binding on all members and officials of the Isedopeju Renewal Association.

(2) Name: There shall be established an Association of a group of people to be known and called ISEDOPEJU RENEWAL ASSOCIATION.

(3) Subject to the provisions of Article 3 of this Constitution, the Association shall comprise solely of male indigenes of Isedo Quaters, Ila Orangun, Osun State of Nigeria.

(4) The headquarters of the Association shall be called the GENERAL SECRETARIAT and shall be located in Isedo, Ila Orangun, Osun State, Nigeria.

(5) LANGUAGE: The official languages of communication of the Association shall be Yoruba and/or English language(s).

(6) INTERPRETATION:

(a) The acronym “IRA” wherever used shall mean ISEDOPEJU RENEWAL

ASSOCIATION.

(b) ‘The Association’ wherever used in this Constitution shall mean ISEDOPEJU

RENEWAL ASSOCIATION.

(c ) ‘BOT’ wherever used in this Constitution shall mean the Board of Trustees.

ARTICLE 2: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of the IRA shall be as follows:

(1) To foster unity and peace among the people of ISEDO, ILA ORANGUN, OSUN STATE in all parts of the world.

(2) To ensure peaceful co- existence between the people of ISEDO and other people within ILA ORANGUN, OSUN STATE.

(3) To attract infrastructural development to ISEDO, ILA ORANGUN, OSUN STATE.

(4) To awaken the socio-cultural, economic and political consciousness of the people of ISEDO, ILA ORANGUN, OSUN STATE and its environs.

(5) To provide support for the less privileged; and to promote and encourage community development; render services to humanity; and assist in education and training by way of awarding scholarship, holding seminars and workshops and funding of schools, principally for Isedo, Ila Orangun.

ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP

(1) Membership of IRA shall be open to only male indigenes of Ila Orangun who is connected to Isedo Quaters of Ila Orangun by one or a combination of the following:

(a) paternal or maternal descent;

(b) affiliation by residence.

(2) No person shall be admitted as a member of the IRA, unless he satisfies the Membership Screening Committee that:

(a) he is over 35 years of age;

(b) he is gainfully employed and or in business;

(d) he is a person who has made or is capable of making useful contribution(s) to the attainment of the aims and objectives of the IRA.

ARTICLE 4: ORGANS OF THE ASSOCIATION

The organs of the Association shall be the made up of the following:

1. The General Assembly:

2. The Board of Trustees; and

3. The Executive Council which shall comprise of the elected executive officers of the IRA and the Chairmen of the Standing Committees.

ARTICLE 5: THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY: COMPOSITION.

The General Assembly shall comprise of all financial members who are up-to-date in the payment of their annual subventions; and all fees that may be imposed on members by the Executive Council.

ARTICLE 6: THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY: DUTIES

The General Assembly shall:

(a) be the highest organ and the supreme legislative body of the Association.

(b) take decisions and make laws on issues not contained in the provisions of this Constitution through resolutions at its meeting(s).

(c) discipline or pardon any officer(s) and/or member(s) of the IRA after considering the recommendation(s) of the Disciplinary Committee.

(d) have the final say on any matters concerning and touching on any member(s) as well as the IRA.

(e) have at least one physical meeting in a year to be convened by the Executive Council.

(f) review the activities of the current year and plan and agree on programme for the upcoming year at the annual General Assembly.

ARTICLE 7: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES: COMPOSITION.

(1) The Board of Trustees shall comprise of seven members, three of which are ex-officio members and the rest four to be elected by the Executive Council.

(2) The three ex-officio members of the Board of Trustees are the Chairman, General Secretary and the Legal Adviser of the Executive Council.

ARTICLE 8: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES: DUTIES AND POWERS

(1) The duties of the BOT are:

(a) to ensure that the Association has a clear strategy.

(b) to ensure that the Association programmes are in line with its vision.

(d) to advise the Association on investments and/or business decisions.

(e) to lead the Association in its fund generation drive.

(2) The powers of the BOT are:

(a) To act as the final appellate body in the Dispute Resolution chain among members of the IRA.

(b) To grant the final approval for all developmental projects initiated by the Executive Council.

(d) To have the final decision on disciplinary measures recommended by the Disciplinary Committee against any member.

(e) To be the repository body for the assets of the Association in the event of the winding up of the IRA until the assets are disposed in line with the Provisions of Article 18 of this Constitution.

ARTICLE 9: EXECUTIVE COUNCIL: COMPOSITION.

The Executive Council shall comprise of the following officers:

(1). Chairman

(ii). Vice Chairman

(iii). General Secretary

(iv). Assistant General Secretary

(v). Financial Secretary

(vi). Assistant Financial Secretary

(vii). Publicity and Social Secretary

(viii). Assistant Publicity and Social Secretary

(ix). Treasurer

(x). Assistant Treasurer

(xi). Legal Adviser

(xii) Chief Whip

(xiii). Chairmen of standing Committees

ARTICLE 10: DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL:

The Executive Council shall:

a) be responsible for the administration of the IRA.

b) take decisions on all matters referred to it by the General Assembly.

c) be the administrative arm of the General Assembly.

d) initiate development and charitable projects and programs in line with the IRA's aims and objectives.

e) do all such things as necessary and required for the progress of the IRA.

f) take possession of; and account for all IRA's properties when called to do so.

g) set up various committees in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution in furtherance of the aims and objectives of the IRA.

h) shall appoint an Auditor for the Association for each year not later than the time of giving the notice of annual General Assembly in accordance with Article 16(1)(b)(i).

i) be accountable to the General Assembly.

j) elect the non-ex-officio members of the Board of Trustees

k) make recommendation to the General Assembly for the amendment, alteration and modification of any part(s) of the constitution whenever it deems necessary to do so.

ARTICLE 11: DUTIES AND POWERS OF MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

(1) THE CHAIRMAN

The duties of the Chairman shall be as follows:

(a) To preside over the General and the Executive meetings. When the Chairman is absent, or he is unable to preside, the vice chairman shall occupy the chair; in the absence of both, any member elected by the executive council shall preside.

(b) To give directives to the General Secretary on convening the IRA’s meetings

(c) In cases of an equal number of votes on a particular issue, the Chairman is vested with power to exercise a second and casting vote to decide the issue.

(d) He shall present the annual address at the Annual General Assembly.

(e) He shall order the immediate adjournment of any meeting when prevailing circumstances justify this.

(f) He shall represent the IRA or lead any team representing the IRA at any events/occasions to which the IRA is invited.

(g) He is an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees.

(2) THE VICE CHAIRMAN

The duties of the Vice Chairman shall be as follows:

(a) He shall occupy the Chair in the absence of the Chairman.

(b) He shall work in cooperation with the Chairman and assist him in the discharge of his duties specified in Article 11(1).

(3) THE GENERAL SECRETARY

The duties of the General Secretary shall be as follows:

(a) He shall be the administrative head and chief coordinator of the general

secretariat.

(b) He shall work in cooperation with the Chairman.

(c) He shall present the annual report to the Association at the annual General Assembly which shall include the progress of the current year, membership growth or decline and the financial state of the IRA.

(d) He shall be an ex-officio member of any committee appointed by the Executive Council.

(e) He shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees.

(f) He shall on the advice of the Chairman convene all meetings of the Association

(g) He shall produce agendas, take minutes and present minutes at all meetings.

(h) He shall receive correspondence for the Association and prepare replies to the correspondence.

(4) THE ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY

The duties of the Assistant General Secretary shall be as follows:

(a) He shall assist the General Secretary in his duties specified in Article 11(3).

(b) he shall assume the office of the General Secretary in the absence of General

Secretary.

(5) THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY

The duties of the Financial Secretary shall be as follows:

(a) He shall keep accurate records of all money collected, receipts and payment

authorisations for the IRA.

(b) He shall give financial reports when asked to do so by the IRA with the names

of members that may fall in arrears.

Position as at date of a General Assembly.

(d) He shall forward the Statements of Comprehensive Incomes and Financial

Position prepared for the purpose of the General Assembly to the Appointed

Auditor 30 days before the General Assembly.

(d) Prepare all payments authorisations as approved by the executive council of the IRA.

(6) ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY

The duties of the Assistant Financial Secretary shall be as follows:

(a) He shall assist the Financial Secretary in discharging his duties as provided under

Art 11(5) of this Constitution.

(b) He shall assume the office of the Financial Secretary in the absence of the

Financial Secretary.

(7) PUBLICITY AND SOCIAL SECRETARY

The duties of the Publicity and Social Secretary shall be as follows:

(a) He shall be responsible for giving necessary publicity to the affairs of the IRA.

(b) He shall be responsible for the coordination of all the social functions of the IRA

the good image of the IRA.

(i) He shall maintain contacts with members who appear to be inactive and not regular in attendance at meetings.

(j) He shall maintain contacts with members by telephone, email or any other reasonable means with members who are in any predicament and convey the society’s complements to them whenever such is known to the IRA.

(8). ASSISTANT PUBLICITY SECRETARY

The duties of the Assistant Publicity and Social Secretary shall be as follows:

(a) He shall assist the Publicity Secretary in discharging his duties as provided under

Art 11(7) of this Constitution.

(b) He shall assume the office of the Publicity Secretary in the absence of the Publicity

Secretary.

(9) TREASURER

The duties of the Treasurer shall be as follows:

(a) He shall be responsible for the collection of the society’s subscriptions, donations,

voluntary contributions, penalty fees against members and all other funds accruing

to the IRA.

(b) He shall pay all money collected for the IRA into the IRA’s account promptly.

by the executive Council.

(d) He shall be responsible for all disbursements from the IRA’s funds on approval by the Executive Council and or General Assembly.

(10) ASSISSTANT TREASURER

The duties of the Assistant Treasurer shall be as follows:

(a) He shall assist the Treasurer in discharging his duties as provided

under Art 11(9) of this Constitution.

(b) He shall assume the office of the Treasurer in the absence of the Treasurer.

(11) CHIEF WHIP

The duties of the Chief Whip shall be as follows:

(a) He shall maintain order during IRA’s meetings and events

(b) He shall be in charge of discipline and enforcement of penalty for indiscipline during

the IRA’s meetings.

(13) LEGAL ADVISER

The duties of the Legal Adviser shall be as follows:

(a) He shall be responsible for monitoring all legal affairs of the Association.

(b) He shall handle all internal and external legal issues of the IRA.

and the organs of the IRA to keep the IRA out of legal trouble.

(d) Develop and implement a periodic ‘Legal Health Check’ of all the IRA’s activities.

(e) Ensure that ownership and insurance documents of the IRA’s assets are properly

executed.

(d) He is an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees.

ARTICLE !2: COMMITTEES AND THEIR DUTIES

The IRA shall have the following two committees and any other(s) that the Executive Council may deem necessary to establish or constitute to carry out certain functions as may be assigned to it/them. The Chairman of each committee shall be a member of the Executive Council.

(1) DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

(a) The Executive Council shall set up a Disciplinary Committee, which shall handle all forms of indiscipline and misconduct by officer(s) and/or members of the IRA.

(b) Any erring member(s) and/or officer(s) shall be referred to the Disciplinary Committee who shall look into the misconduct preferred against such member(s)/officer(s).
(c) The recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee on erring members shall be subject to review by the Board of Trustees.

(2) MEMBERSHIP SCREENING COMMITTEE

(a) There shall be a screening committee to screen prospective members and certify them fit and proper to be admitted into the Association.

(b) The Membership Screening Committee Shall recommend and present prospective member(s) to the General Assembly for a final decision on admittance.

(C) All newly admitted member(s) shall be under probation for six months from the date of the said admission into the IRA and within this probation period, he/they shall not be entitled to any benefit from the IRA.

ARTICLE 13: QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS

(1) The offices shall be open only to the financial members of the IRA.

(2) No members shall be eligible for election into any office unless he has attended at least two thirds of all meetings held in the current year.

(3) Save the inaugural officers, no member shall be eligible for election into any office unless he has been a member of the IRA for at least 180 days.

(4) A qualified member who is unavoidably absent on the day of the election may be elected in absentia provided he has signified his intention to contest the election prior to election day.

(5) Subject to Articles 11(1)(g); 11(3)(d); 11(3)(e); 11(11)(c); 7(4)(e); and 11(13)(d), no member shall hold more than one position at any one time.

ARTICLE 14: FINANCES

(1) SOURCES OF REVENUE

The following shall be the IRA's sources of revenue:

a) Members’ registration fees and annual subscription as fixed by the General Assembly

b) Levies, fines and donations;

c) Sponsorship of the Association’s programs such as seminars, symposia workshops, donation from individuals, groups, cooperate establishment, other Associations, the general public, government(s), national and international organizations, institutions, government agencies, admirers of the IRG’s aims and objectives and projects;

d) Profit from business ventures and investments undertaken by the IRA on the

recommendation of the Executive Council.

(2) BANKING

a) The IRA shall open, maintain and operate a current account in its name in at least one reputable Nigerian bank.

b) All monies, either in draft, cheques and cash shall be deposited in the IRA’s bank account within seventy (72) hours of collection of same by the treasurer unless he is prevented from doing so by unforeseen emergencies.

c) All bank documents such as cheque books, account statements and all such banking related documents of the IRA shall be kept with the treasurer and accessible to the Financial Secretary.

d) The signatories to the account shall be the Chairman AND either the Treasurer or the Financial Secretary.

e) All expenses, disbursements and or payments from the Bank accounts of the Association shall be with the approval or authorization of the Executive Council.

ARTICLE 15: AUDITOR

(1) There shall be appointed an Auditor for the Association in accordance with Article 16(1)(b)(i) of this Constitution.

(2) The Auditor shall on receiving the annual Accounts of the Association in accordance with Article 11(5)(d) commence the full auditing of the said accounts.

(3) The Auditor shall communicate his audit findings by preparing a final report and presenting it to the General Assembly.

ARTICLE 16: INVESTITURE

(1) HONOURARY MEMBERS

(1) The Executive Council shall subject to the ratification of the General Assembly,

have power to appoint certain persons to the exalted position of:

(a)Grand Patron and Grand Matron.

(b) Patron and Matron.

(2) The persons to be appointed to the said positions must not be a member of the

IRA.

(3) The persons to be appointed to these positions shall have outstanding interest in

the IRA and her objectives.

(4) The role of these eminent personalities shall be advisory only and shall maintain

an observers' status in the IRA without any voting right.

(2) CONFERMENT OF MERIT/HONORARY AWARDS

(a) Distinguished personalities may be conferred with the merit award of the IRA.

(b) Merit/Honorary award shall be made in the spirit of propagating the ideals of the IRA and to promote harmony between the IRA and the larger society.

ARTICLE 17: MEETINGS

1. The IRA’s meetings shall be of four categories as follows:

(a) MONTHLY GENERAL MEETING

(i)There shall be monthly meetings (virtual) of the IRA.

(ii) The meeting shall hold every third Saturday of each month from 3pm to 5pm (Nigerian time).
(iii) Any member that absents himself for the period of three months (3) consecutively without any reasonable excuse shall cease to be a member.

(iv) Absence from any meeting shall attract a fine to be decided by the Disciplinary Committee at the concerned meeting.

(v) The fine so decided in Art 17(1)(a)(iv) above shall be communicated to the absentee(s) by the Chief Whip and must be paid by the absentees before or on the day of the following monthly meeting.

(b) ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

i. There shall be an annual General Assembly (physical) of the IRA to be held once a year in Ila Orangun on any date chosen by the Executive Council in December of each year.

ii. The date of the General Assembly shall be communicated to all members at least 120 days before it holds.

iii. Every member must be in attendance

iv. Absence without a reasonable cause shall be penalized in line with the recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee.

v. During the General Assembly meeting(s), audited financial report of the association shall be presented to the General Assembly by the Chairman with an update of progress recorded generally by the Executive Council.

vi. Agenda of the meeting shall be circulated at least seven 30 days before the annual general meeting.

vii. Only financial members of the Association shall be eligible to express their opinion at such meetings and also cast votes or stand as a candidate at the elections.

(c) EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S MEETING

The Executive Council’s meeting may be held at any time, by any means or at any place the Council so decides.

(d) EXTRAORDINARY MEETING

The Executive Council shall call for any extraordinary or emergency meeting if the need arises, through the fastest and right channel.

(e) COMMITTEE’S MEETING

The Committee’s meeting may be held at any time, by any means or at any place the concerned Committee so decide.

(2) QUORUM AT THE MEETINGS

a) Quorum for the commencement of the monthly General meeting, Extraordinary meeting and Annual General Assembly shall be one third of all registered members.

b) Quorum for the Executive Council’s meetings and Committee’s meetings shall be two-thirds of the members of the Executive Council or the concerned Committee as the case may be.

(3) VOTING ON RESOLUTIONS

c) Resolution(s) at the general meeting shall be determined by a simple majority of members present and voting; and the Chairman or the person presiding shall cast a vote whenever necessary to avoid an equality of votes but shall not vote in any other case.

d) Except for the election of officers and decisions on matters which are controversial in the reckoning of the IRA’s Chairman; all votes shall be done by show of hands.

(4) READING AND ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The General Secretary shall read the minutes of the previous meeting and the Chairman shall invite the opinions of the members as to the accuracy of the minutes read before asking for a motion for adoption. All necessary amendments shall be made before the minutes shall stand approved by the Chairman as being correct.

ARTICLE 18: COMMON SEAL OF THE ASSOCIATION

a) There shall be a common seal of the IRA.

b) The common seal of the IRA shall contain its logo and name.

c) The Association's seal shall be in the custody of the General Secretary.

ARTICLE 19: ELECTIONS

(1) ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND PROCEDURES

(a) The tenure of every Executive Council shall be three years.

(b) No member shall be eligible to serve for more than two consecutive terms.

(b) The Executive Council shall, 60 days to its expiry in office constitute a Nomination & Elections Committee of 3 members from among the members, and whose membership shall be presented to the General meeting for ratification.

C. The Nomination & Elections Committee shall set its own rules for nomination and the conduct of the elections.

D. The outcome of the Elections shall be immediately published to members.

E. New Executive officers shall be sworn in at the Annual General Assembly.

(2) RIGHT TO VOTE AND BE VOTED FOR

(a) Every member is qualified to vote and be voted for provided he is a financial member. (b) A financial member is one who is not indebted to the Association of any fund be it a pledge, levy or monthly dues.

(d) Any member standing in an election must not be a member of the electoral body.

(e) Only accredited and qualified voting members shall exercise their voting rights when required.
(f) On matters of importance relating to the IRA's transactions, only votes cast by eligible members shall be taken into consideration.

ARTICLE 20: INCORPORATED TRUSTEES

1. There shall be incorporated trustees of the IRA.

2. Subject as provided hereunder, each trustee may hold office for 6 years of two consecutive 3-year term but such trustee shall cease to hold office on the following grounds:

a) If he resigns his office

b) If he ceases to be a member of the IRA either voluntarily or otherwise.

c) If he becomes of unsound mind or dead.

d) If he is officially declared bankrupt.

e) If he is convicted of any criminal offence by a court of competent Jurisdiction and/or of questionable character.

f) If he becomes so old or unhealthy that he is incapable of performing the duties of his office.

4. Upon vacancy occurring in the number of trustees as a result to the above reasons, the IRA shall either at the Annual General Assembly or extraordinary/emergency meeting elect or nominate another eligible person to fill the vacancy.

5. The properties of the Association shall be entrusted in the Board of Trustees.

6. The Board of Trustees shall apply to the Corporate Affairs Commission for certificate of incorporation under Part "C" of the companies and Allied Matters Act, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1990. When incorporated, the trustees shall be called INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF ISEDOPEJU RENEWAL GROUP and shall hold, acquire and dispose of real and personal property of the Association, sue and be sued on behalf of the IRA.

8. The Board of Trustees shall have liberty to decide their meeting period 'and such meeting(s) shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and if unavoidably unable to convene a meeting, two thirds (2/3) majority of the entire members of the Board of Trustees can convene the meeting or request that such a meeting be convened. Any decision reached at such meeting is binding on the IRA.

9. The Board of Trustees shall have and operate a common seal, which shall remain their symbol of member of trustees.

10. The Secretary - General is the secretary to the BOARD OF TRUSTEES while the Legal Adviser shall advise the Board of Trustees on legal matters.

11. Members of the Board of Trustees should not necessarily be members of the Executive Council safe the Chairman, General secretary and the Legal Adviser.

ARTICLE 21: SPECIAL CLAUSE

1. The assets and properties of the IRA however derived shall be applied solely toward the promotion of the objectives of the Association as set forth in the constitution and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly by way of dividend or otherwise as profit to the members of the Association.

2. Provided nothing herein shall prevent the payment in good faith or remuneration to any hired officer or servant of the IRA in return for the services rendered or out-of-pocket expenses.
3. No member of the IRA governing body shall be appointed to any salaried office of the IRA and no remuneration shall be given to such member of the governing body by the IRA except reimbursement for any reasonable out-of- pocket expenses (OPE).

ARTICLE 22: WINDING UP OF THE ASSOCIATION

(1) In the event of winding up or dissolution of the IRA, any outstanding assets after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, shall not be paid or distributed among members of the IRA but shall be transferred to other institution(s) or organization(s) that have objectives that are similar to that of the IRA.

(2) All assets of the IRA shall be vested in the Board of Trustees of the Association until the beneficiary organisation(s) that will benefit from the arrangement in Art 18(1) are chosen.

(3) Where no organization can be found, the property aforementioned may be handed over to the Local Council governing the affairs of Isedo Quatres.

SAVE: otherwise as may be agreed by members or provided the mode, jurisdiction of court, petition commencement of the winding up of the Association and appointment of official receivers, liquidators, etc. shall be informed of winding up companies as contained in part XV of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1990 with such variation as necessary and adequate for the Association. Therefore, it shall be removed from the register of the Association incorporated under the law.

ARTICLE 23: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONAL MATTERS

a) The Association terminate the membership of any member(s) found to be of questionable character or that exhibits behaviour that is prejudicial to the interest of the IRG and which is capable of tarnishing the corporate image of the Association.

b) Before any member is removed from the Association or stripped of his official post, there must be an established case of misconduct or misdeed which must be stated in writing through the office of the General Secretary for an explanation and defence.
c) Effecting any disciplinary measures in the form of removing a member or suspension of a member shall be implemented through a two-thirds (2/3) majority votes at the general meeting.

(1) RESIGNATION OF MEMBERSHIP

The Association shall entertain voluntary resignation of membership whether as member of the Association or resigning from official position, and any member to resign his membership is at liberty to do so, provided he or she notifies the General Secretary in writing, thereafter the Board of Management shall debate on it and any action taken shall be communicated to the members concerned in writing.

(2) IMPEACHMENT /VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE

a) Where a member or members feels that any officer is not competent either by conduct or in performance of duties, member(s) can move a motion for vote of no confidence at the general meeting against the erring officer, providing reason for motion for impeachment. The motion shall be debated in the presence of the officer where he can defend him/herself.

b) Where the motion succeeds by two thirds (2/3) majority of members present at the general meeting, the officer shall be removed and his post will be declared vacant and will be filled in by bye-election or an appointment through the proper recommendation.
c) When the person fails to appear on two occasions, he shall from that moment remain suspended until he submits himself for trial to the General Assembly which can be done through the Disciplinary Committee.

d) Where an officer is pronounced guilty by a competent court of law for criminal offence, he or she shall vacate his or her post and a new officer elected in a bye - election.
e) In the event where a vacancy occur in the office that has a deputy, where the incumbent has resigned or voted out of office before the end of his tenure, the deputy shall take over the position created by the exit of the principal officer and act in the capacity until a bye-election is conduction on the vacated position

(3) BYE-ELECTION

When an officer is leaving office, his office shall be declared vacant and a Bye-Election conducted and, in this case, the Executive Council shall appoint 3 persons for the purpose of the bye election.

ARTICLE 24: DISCIPLINE AND OFFICIAL PROTOCOL

(1) The IRA shall always maintain discipline, and observe all official protocols within the rank and file of members, and to that extent shall punish all acts of indiscipline by any member or officer.

(2) There shall be fair hearing before any punishment is recommended to the General Assembly.

(3) Any officer suspected of misappropriating the Association's money or fund shall remain suspended from office until the case is duly determined by the Disciplinary Committee. If he is found guilty, he shall refund the said amount and shall not be re-admitted to his office after he has completed prescribed punishment.

(4) No member shall speak at the IRA’s meeting except he is called by the Chairman to speak after he has signified his intention by raising of hand.

ARTICLE 25: MEMBERS’ WELFARE AND BENEFITS

1. ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS:

(a) Every financial member is entitled to assistance from the IRA for all personal celebrations brought to the attention of the IRA by the concerned member(s).

(b) Personal celebrations in Art 20(1)(a) is limited to burial of members’ parents and parents-in-law, member’s and/or their children’s wedding and other events organised by a member’s nuclear family.

b) The IRA will at a plenary meeting to be convened for the purpose of the assistance envisaged in Art 20(1)(a) decide on the appropriate assistance to be rendered to the member.

c) It shall be compulsory for all members to be in attendance while absentees without reasonable cause(s) shall be penalized according to the fine specified by the Discipline Committee.
d) The IRA must be adequately entertained during the event.

(2) DEATH OF A MEMBER

The Association shall contribute greatly to the burial of any deceased member.
(a) The Chairman shall constitute a committee to liaise with the family of the deceased for proper involvement of the IRA in the burial programmes.

(b) The IRA will at a plenary meeting to be convened for the purpose of the deceased burial programmes decide on whatever assistance to be rendered to the family of the deceased member.

c) lt shall be compulsory for all members to be in attendance at the deceased burial programmes.

(3) PENSION/GRATUITY FOR MEMBERS

a) No member shall be entitled to gratuity or pension.

b) Any member who attains the age of seventy (70) shall enjoy 50% waiver of financial commitments to the IRA except through voluntary volition, the member insists on continuing to make full financial contributions.

ARTICLE 26: AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.

(1) Any member can petition the Executive Council in writing through the General Secretary to seek the amendment of any provision(s) of this constitution.

(2) The Petition in Art 24(1) must state what the amendment(s) is/are intended to correct or improve.

(3) The Board of Governing Council shall include the proposed amendment(s) for consideration in the next monthly meeting following the receipt of the petition.

(4) The General Secretary shall forward such proposed amendment(s) to each member of the IRA at least 7 days before a meeting in which the amendments are to be considered.

(5) The proposed amendment(s) must be put to vote and supported by at least two-thirds majority of members present at the meeting.

(6) If the amendment(s) is/are supported as specified in Art 21(5), it must also be ratified by at least half of the members of the General Assembly for it to succeed.

(7) If two-thirds of members present at a meeting where the amendment(s) is\are discussed support the amendment(s), the Constitution shall be so amended.

(8) The amendment shall be effected at either the next annual General Assembly or at an extraordinary/emergency meeting convened for that purpose.

ARTICLE 27: DISPUTE RESOLUTION AMONG MEMBERS

(1) Any dispute that arises between and among members shall be brought to the attention of the Executive Council through the Chairman or the General Secretary by any member.

(2) Within 5 days of being notified, the Executive Council shall constitute a three-man dispute resolution panel to resolve the dispute.

(3) Upon being constituted, the 3-man panel shall arrange a meeting (physical or virtual) of the parties within 14 days of their panel’s constitution.

(4) The 3-man panel shall have the authority to resolve the dispute between the parties.

(5) The 3-man panel shall advise the Executive Council of the outcome of the resolution.

(6) All parties to any dispute subject to this procedure shall not pursue administrative or judicial action during this dispute resolution process.

(7) Disputing parties shall accept the recommendation of the panel or can appeal to the Board of Trustees.

Signed into Law today being 27^th February 2021.

Association Constitution