Chi siamo

I ragazzi di YSG
I ragazzi di YSG

Youth Support Group Mbarara (YSG) è un’Organizzazione non governativa costituita di ragazzi e ragazze tra i 15 e i 30 anni con cultura, religione, educazione, esperienze di vita e nazionalità diverse.

La maggior parte dei ragazzi proviene da famiglie disagiate. Alcuni sono orfani, altri sono stati vittime di abusi, stupri, matrimoni forzati o sono sopravvissuti alla guerra. Molti possono andare a scuola solo grazie al sostegno economico di generosi amici europei.

I giovani che vivono presso l’organizzazione sono guidati da un team di counselor professionisti, frequentano corsi di “education for life” (educazione alla vita) che comprendono sessioni di orientamento per promuovere il cambiamento delle abitudini di vita, la prevenzione dell’Aids, l’acquisizione di abilità professionali e il rafforzamento umano e spirituale.

Ad oggi, Youth Support Group Mbarara conta 23 componenti che vivono presso la comunità di Kakoba e altri 10 giovani ragazzi/e che vivono presso la sede/fattoria di Karuisi. Altre persone provenienti da diversi paesi come l’Uganda, il Kenya, la Tanzania, la R.D. del Congo, l’Olanda, l’Italia e l’Inghilterra, sono diventante nel tempo membri onorari della ONG in virtù del supporto dato alla comunità.

La nostra missione
Promuovere lo sviluppo e il rafforzamento delle relazioni interpersonali tra i giovani, valorizzarne i talenti e aiutarli a riacquisire fiducia nelle loro capacità, talvolta oscurate dalle esperienza di vita vissute, guidarli nell’acquisizione di abilità professionali.

Il nostro obiettivo
Guidare i giovani provenienti da esperienze di vita difficili attraverso percorsi di formazione alternativi, per portarli a raggiungere obiettivi concreti anche attraverso l’aiuto ai loro coetanei nella quotidianità.

La nostra storia
Youth Support Group è stato fondato dalla Congregazione cattolica “Sisters of Our Lady of Good Conunsel” (OLGC), che esiste in Uganda dal 1943. Oltre all’impegno con i giovani, svolge attività caritatevoli in Uganda, Tanzania, Ruanda e Chicago Illinois (USA).

Youth Support Group nasce nel 2001 ed è stato registrato come ONG nel Giugno 2002 presso il comitato nazionale delle Organizzazioni non governative in Uganda.

L’organizzazione inizialmente ha operato soprattutto nel distretto di Mbarara ma successivamente ha offerto i propri servizi anche in altri distretti e in paesi vicini come il Ruanda, la Tanzania, il Kenya e la R.D. del Congo.

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THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

 CONSTITUTION OF

YOUTH SUPPORT GROUP MBARARA (YSGM)

Drawn By
Muhimbura & Co. Advocates
Baumann House
Plot 7, Parliment Avenue,
P.O. BOX 22971
KAMPALA

ARTICLE 1 PREAMBLE
WHEREAS it is a well established fact that most youth in Uganda live below the poverty line and whereas it has been realized that joint action is needed to improve the youths’ income in Uganda and in particular in Mbarara District of Uganda to enhance their economic development and conscience that such development can be achieved through the joint effort of everybody concerned in the improvement of the welfare of humanity around them, NOWTHEREFORE, we the undersigned members of YOUTH SUPPORT GROUP, Mbarara, DO HEREBY form ourselves into a nongovernmental organization to foster the ideals of the youth development through joint effort of the members and the beneficiaries alike and Do hereby adopt, abide and pledge our allegiance by this Constitution and the provisions herein and any and all subsequent amendments and adoptions.

ARTICLE 2 SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION
This Constitution shall be the Supreme law governing the affairs of Youth Support Group, Mbarara, organization and any other statutory provisions, and the provisions herein shall be binding upon all members of the organization.

ARTICLE 3 NAME, ADDRESS AND FOUNDING BODY
The organization shall be known as YOUTH SUPPORT GROUP, MBARARA (YSGM) whose head office shall be on Plot 09 Markhan Sing Street, Mbarara Municipality, P.O. Box 260, Mbarara, and any other places in Uganda as the members shall decide. The founding body is the Institute of the Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel Mbarara. It will provide a director and coordinators of the organization.

ARTICLE 4 AREA OF OPERATION
The organization shall operate in the whole country of Uganda starting with the District of Mbarara, and any other place, as members shall determine.

ARTICLE 5 THE OBJECTIVES
The Objectives for which this organization is formed shall be:

1) to coordinate all youths in Mbarara Municipality and other areas where the organization shall operate;
2) to train youth in leadership skills through education for life programmes;
3) to empower the youth and enable them have live in its fullness through change of behavior and attitudes;
4) to creatively build and strengthen youth bonds in order to re-channel youth energies and make use of their talents through job creation;
5) To evangelize the youth through:

  • a) education for life programmes (peer education) as an aids prevention;
  • b) outreach to the target groups (AIDS Patients, street youth, orphans and the disadvantaged);
  • c) leadership training;

6) laying a humble but sure and strong base for the future group foundation for broader and better benefit for members and society.

ARTICLE 6 MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTION
1) Membership shall be open to all interested people who shall pay a membership fee and Annual subscription as per this Constitution.
2) Membership fee shall be not less than Ug. Shs.l0,000/ = or such higher amount as shall be determined by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be paid within one month from the date of admission to membership.
3) All founder members as listed in the schedule attached hereto are deemed to have become members of the organization as on the 1th day of April 2001.
4) There shall be an annual subscription fee of not less than Ug.Shs.20,000/= or such higher or larger amount as shall be determined by the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

ARTICLE 7 RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
All members (those who have paid membership fee and subscription) shall have the right to:
1) attend all General meetings and discuss freely;
2) vote or be voted for in meetings of the organization;
3) nominate or be nominated and be elected as office bearers at all levels of the organization;
4) participate in all activities of the organization unless otherwise expressly excluded due to sufficient reason.

ARTICLE 8 CEASATION OF MEMBERSHIP
A member shall cease to a member if:
1) he/she resigns at anytime upon giving one months written notice to the Secretary General and after such member has paid all sums due from him/her to the organization;
2) he/she fails to meet his or her financial obligations;
3) he/she is expelled from the organization for gross misconduct or indiscipline or commission of a criminal offence;
4) he/she persistently absents himself from attending organization meetings for a period of one (1) year.

ARTICLE 9 ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE
Executive Committee
1) The organization shall be run by the Executive Committee of 8 persons elected by the General Assembly.
2) The Executive Committee shall comprise of the following office bearers:

  • a) Chairperson
  • b) Vice Chairperson
  • c) Secretary General
  • d) Assistant Secretary General
  • e) Treasurer
  • f) Vice Treasurer
  • g) Coordinator
  • h) Deputy Coordinator

ARTICLE 10 DUTIES AND POWERS
(A) The Chairperson shall be:

  • (i) the Executive Head of the Organization;
  • (ii) an ex – officio member of all sub committees and task force committees of the organization;
  • (iii) preside over all the meetings of the organization;
  • (iv) have a casting vote during committee meetings;
  • (v) a co – signatory to all financial transactions of the organization;
  • (vi) have powers to make emergency decisions on behalf of the organization, in extra ordinary circumstances when she/he cannot in any way consult the General Assembly provided she/he informs the General Assembly during the next Assembly meetings;
  • (vii) chair the General Assembly.

(B) The Vice Chairperson shall:

  • (i) feputize for the chairperson during her/his absence;
  • (ii) carry out any other duty assigned by the chairperson or the Executive Committee.

(C) The Secretary General shall:

  • (i) keep the minutes and all records of the proceedings of the Committee meetings and General Assembly;
  • (ii) in consultation with the chairperson draw up and publish the agenda for the Committee meetings and the General Assembly;
  • (iii) be an ex- officio member of all sub committees and Task force committees of the organization;
  • (iv) liaise with and monitor the operations of the Secretariat;
  • (v) be the custodian of the organization seal/stamp.

(D) The Treasurer shall:

  • (i) keep all financial records and accounts of the organization;
  • (ii) record all subscription, donations and grants to the organization;
  • (iii) be the Chief custodian of the organization’s property and establishments;
  • (iv) draw up a budget, present quarterly financial statements and income and expenditure;
  • (v) be a signatory to the organization’s Accounts;
  • (vi) draw up annual accounts and balance sheets.

(E) Coordinator shall be:

  • (i) the Chief Administrative officer of the organization responsible to the chairperson of the committee;
  • (ii) the head the Secretariat;
  • (iii) the head technical of the organization heading a team of employees.

(F) Deputy Coordinator shall:

  • (i) deputise for the Coordinator during his/her absence;
  • (ii) coordinate all projects and tasks of the organization.

(G) Sub Committee and Task Force Committees:
Save as otherwise provided for in this Constitution, sub committees and task force committees shall be instituted and adopted by the General Assembly as need may arises.

ARTICLE 11 FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall be:
1) responsible for the management of the organization;
2) bear collective responsibility on all matters discussed and agreed upon;
3) have powers to appoint sub committees or task force committees;
4) be responsible for the supervision and follow up of the activities being implemented by the organization;
5) have powers to hire and fire resource personnel and staff;
6) have powers to call emergency meetings of the General Assembly.

ARTICLE 12 PATRON
(a) There shall be a patron to the Organization appointed by the General Assembly on the advice of the Executive Committee until such a time when the General Assembly meets. The Head of the Institute, the Superior General of the Sisters of Our Lady Good Counsel Mbarara, shall be the patron.
(b) A patron shall be a religious leader or any other person of proven integrity and standing in society.
(c) The patron shall inter alia:

  • (i) Be the Chief Adviser of the Organization.
  • (ii) Render advise as and where necessary to the Executive Committee and the General Assembly.
  • (iii) Be entitled to attend all meetings of the Executive Committee and the General Assembly but shall not have a casting vote.

ARTICLE 13 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1. The General Assembly shall comprise all paid up members of the organization.
2. The General Assembly shall have the following powers and functions:

  • (a) shall be the supreme decision making body on all matters pertaining to the organization;
  • (b) shall elect office bearers as provided for in this Constitution;
  • (c) shall appoint trustees of the organization;
  • (d) shall approve policies and programmes for the organization;
  • (e) shall amend and adopt Articles of this Constitution;
  • (f) shall determine fees and all categories of membership to the organization;
  • (g) approve and endorse an audited statement of Account submitted by the Executive Committee;
  • (h) shall have the right to know the activities carried out in the organization and groups;
  • (i) voting at the General Assembly shall be only by paid up members.

ARTICLE 14 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICE BEARERS
1) There shall be an Annual General Meeting of the General Assembly at which office bearers shall be elected.
2) The Executive Committee shall be in office for a period of 2 years subject to re- election.
3) At the election of the Executive Committee, a member shall be eligible for election provided that no individual shall serve for more than two (2) Consecutive terms in the same office.

ARTICLE 15 TRUSTEES OF THE ORGANIZATION
1) There shall be appointed at least 3 members to be trustees of the organization.
2) The said trustees shall be appointed by the General Assembly and shall serve for a period of 5 years subject to re-election.
3) The Trustees shall be responsible for all the moveable and immovable properties of the organization.

ARTICLE 16 MEETINGS
(a) Annual General Meeting

  • (i) The Annual General Meeting shall be held once every year on the date, time and venue, which shall be communicated by the Executive Committee to the members of the General Assembly at least three weeks (21 days) before the scheduled date;
  • (ii) During the Annual General Meeting, annual reports shall be presented including the financial report of the organization;
  • (iii) Office bearers shall also be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

(b) Extra – ordinary Meeting
The Extra – ordinary meeting shall be called as and when need warrants but with a notice of not less than two weeks to the scheduled date.

(c) Other Meetings
The Executive Committee will meet at least quarterly i.e. 4 times in a year to deliberate on matters of the organization.

ARTICLE 17 QUORUM
Quorum at all meetings of the organization shall be one third (1/3) of the total expected members at each meeting.

ARTICLE 18 FINANCES
(a) Sources of funds

  • (i) Local Contributions
  • (ii) Donations from local NGO’s, Government and Foreign Agencies
  • (iii) Membership fee and Annual subscriptions
  • (iv) And any other sources as approved by the General Assembly.

(b) Bank Accounts
The Project shall operate a Bank Account with any viable Commercial Bank in Uganda.

(c) Books of Accounts
The organization shall maintain all the necessary books of Accounts, which shall be under the overall responsibility of the Treasurer.

(d) Auditing
Audited books of Accounts will be kept by the Executive Committee and the General Assembly shall appoint the Auditors for one year term renewable.

(e) Signatories to the Bank Account
The signatories to the organization/s Account shall be:

1. Chairperson
2. Treasurer
3. Secretary General
4. Coordinator

All cheques and instruments relating to the account shall be honoured when signed by any two officials above mentioned including the Chairperson.

ARTICLE 19 REPORTS
(a) The Secretariat will give (submit) quarterly reports to the Executive Committee. The reports shall include financial reports, activities of the organization, achievements and failures and any other issues that will be considered important.
(b) The Executive Committee shall submit the Annual Report to the General Assembly.

ARTICLE 20 SEAL/OFFICIAL STAMP
(a) The organization’s Secretary General shall provide safe custody for the official seal/stamp. Such a stamp shall be used by the Authority of the Executive Committee.
(b) Any instruments to which the stamp shall be put by the Executive Committee shall be counter endorsed by the chairperson and either the vice chairperson or Secretary General for that purpose which shall bind the organization.

ARTICLE 21 DISPUTES
All disputes arising from the provisions of this Constitution shall be resolved by consensus, majority decision of members or by decision of a single arbitrator appointed by the General Assembly of the organization.

ARTICLE 22 DISCIPLINE
1) Members of both the Executive Committee and the Secretariat shall be expected to conduct themselves with high level of discipline and confidentiality .
2) There shall be a disciplinary committee appointed by the chairperson in consultation with the Executive committee whose function shall be to:

  • (a) Discipline members on all matters pertaining to this Constitution including misconduct.
  • (b) Embezzlement of organization funds and persistent absenteeism.

ARTICLE 23 AMENDMENTS
The Articles of this Constitution or any part thereof, may be amended by a resolution of the General Assembly carried by two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present and voting at the General Assembly. At least one month’ notice of the intention to amend the Articles of the Organization shall be communicated to the members of the General Assembly.

ARTICLE 24 DISSOLUTION
1) A member calling for a motion for the dissolution of the organization may be called by at least 1/3 of the fully paid up members petitioning the chairperson/Secretary General for the same.
2) The organization shall stand dissolved under the following circumstances:

  • (i) By mutual agreement of three quarters (3/4) of the full members at the General Meeting.
  • (ii) By any other means acceptable to members.
  • (iii) A notice for motion of dissolution of the organization shall be served upon the Executive Committee by the chairperson of the organization at least 30 days before the meeting at which it is supposed to move the motion.
  • (iv) Upon dissolution of the organization, an inventory of the organization’s assets and liabilities shall be carried out. After the payment of all the organization’s liabilities, the General Assembly shall decide to pass it on to an organisation with similar objectives.

Kampala, February 2002