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African National Women’s Organization Constitution

“We want an end to the political and social oppression and economic exploitation of African women.  We believe in the absolute, unequivocal, political, social and economic equality of African women and men.  We believe that a fundamental test of the progressive or revolutionary character of any organization, party, movement, or society is its commitment, confirmed in practice, to the destruction of the special oppression of women and the elevation of women to the rightful place as equal partners and leaders in the forward motion of the development of human society and as leaders, makers, and shapers of human history.”

Adopted from the Working Platform of the African People’s Socialist Party – Point #9 on March 23, 2015

Constitution updated on March 25, 2018

 ARTICLE 1.0 NAME AND ADDRESS

Section 1.1 This association shall be organized as a not-for-profit association, an unincorporated association under the name: African National Women’s Organization, hereinafter referred to as the ANWO.

Section 1.2 The place, checking account and address of the principle office of the ANWO shall be established by the African National Women’s Organization International Executive Committee (IEC).

Section 1.3 Other offices and checking accounts may be placed in other areas as may be determined by the African National Women’s Organization International Executive Committee.

ARTICLE 2.0 DURATION

Section 2.1 The period of existence is permanent unless dissolved by the African  Socialist International, which is the organization that provides political and organizational leadership to ANWO.

Section 2.2 Existence shall commence immediately upon approval of this constitution by the African National Women’s  Organization founding Conference

Section 2.3 In the event of dissolution of the ANWO, the assets shall be distributed to the African Socialist International.

ARTICLE 3.0 PURPOSES

Section 3.1 Said association is organized exclusively as a not for profit, unincorporated association in connection with and under the supervision of the  African Socialist International(ASI) International Central Committee.

Section 3.2 The general purpose of the association is to bring African women into political life and to empower African women economically, socially and politically. To advance the welfare of African people internationally through its program aimed at the advancement of African woman in particular.

Section 3.3 The special purposes of the African National Women’s Organization (ANWO) is to act as an instrument for the mass mobilization of African women for pursuit of their interests as oppressed subjects of colonialism. The pursuit of the economic, social, and political emancipation of African women is a vital part of the struggle to free the African nation and defeat white power/capitalism/colonialism.

 

Article 4.0 RESTRICTIONS

Section 4.1 The ANWO is organized as a separate association but subject to the supervision of the African Socialist International and the International Central Committee.

Section 4.2 No part of the net earnings of the ANWO shall benefit or be distributable to its members, officers or other private persons, except that the ANWO shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this article.

ARTICLE 5.0 MEMBERSHIPS

 Section 5.1 Requirements for Membership for the African National Women’s Organization

 Section 5.1.1  African women who unite with the program and constitution of the African National Women’s  Organization

Section 5.1.2  African women who have reached the age of 18 years old at the time the application is submitted. The age requirement can be waived by the IEC based on the circumstances where the individual lives, and the maturity level of the perspective member

Section 5.1.3 African women who sign a membership application and pledge a commitment to advance the goals, purposes and programs of the ANWO

Section 5.1.4 African women who have pay an initial membership fee  and who pay monthly or annual dues.   The dues amount may vary from country to country depending on economic circumstances of the particular country. Dues will be paid in the currency of the country where the dues are collected. The IEC along with National and/or Regional bodies will determine what dues are appropriate for what country.

Section 5.2 Membership Applications Collection and Maintenance

Section 5.2.1  Membership applications shall be collected by a membership committee either on a branch level and/or by an organizing committee (local and state level) on behalf of the International Office.

Section 5.2.2  Applications can also be submitted online. The initial membership fee must be submitted along with the application. The online memberships are received by the office of the International Director of Recruitment and Membership and a notice of receipt will be transmitted to the applicant

Section 5.2.3 The office of the International Director of Recruitment and Membership (IDRM) will collect and maintain the membership applications. A database of members will be maintained in the office of the IDRM and must use an official membership

Section 5.3 Collection of Membership Fees and Dues

Section 5.3.1 A perspective member fills out an ANWO application and submits the application to the office of the Director of Recruitment and Membership along with the Membership fee. Subsequent dues payments  will be paid to the Recruitment Office in the form of a money order or cash if paid in person.

Section 5.3.2 The Branches of ANWO shall pay a yearly association fee of $60.00 USD payable between  January 1st and 5th of each calendar year

Section 5.3.3 Receipts will be issued by the Recruitment Office for all individual and branch payments

Section 5.3.4 The International Office shall issue membership cards to same members, unless the International Office determines that said membership cards shall be sent to the branch office to be distributed to the membership, within one month.

 Section 5.3.5 Branches and Organizing Committees will follow the ANWO Bank Policy to open and operate a bank account.

ARTICLE 6.0 INTERNATIONAL GOVERNING STRUCTURE AND POWERS

Section 6.1 The International Convention of the ANWO is the main educational, policy-making, advisory and advocacy body of the membership of the ANWO to the International Executive Committee. The International Convention shall consist of members and delegates (who are also members) of country, state, city branches and local organizing committees who are members. The International Convention is the highest body of ANWO when it is in session.

Section 6.2 The International Convention shall provide for the presentation and discussion of proposed policy resolutions on national actions and concerns.

Section 6.2.1 Resolutions submitted from the floor of the International Convention without review by the International Executive Committee as described herein can only come to the floor as emergency resolutions approved by the International President.

Section 6.3 The International Convention shall be empowered to establish branches of the organization in a country, state, province, or city  while in session.

Section 6.3.1 A branch in a Country, state, city or province may be established with a simple majority   affirmative vote of the International Convention qualified Delegates.

Section 6.3.2   The International Convention, when in session, shall be empowered to terminate the membership of any individual or branch for gross violations of ANWO policies and constitution and actions harmful to the unity or functioning of the organization in its struggle for empowerment of African women in particular and the African nation in general.  The International Convention shall retain absolute authority to terminate the membership of branches or individuals while the International Convention is in session.

Section 6.3.3 The International Convention of the ANWO shall be held every two years at such time and place as determined by the International Executive Committee.

Section 6.3.4  National plenaries will be held yearly in each region that ANWO is organized and will act as the policy making forum which ensures the work set forth in the International Convention is meeting the goals and objectives of ANWO. Plenaries will not happen in the same calendar year as the International Convention.

Section 6.3.5 The Chairperson of the African Socialist International shall appoint the President of ANWO during the International Convention

Section 6.3.6 Qualifications to stand for office on the International Executive committee

  1. All candidates must be members in good standing, dues paid in full,
  2. Must not be the subject of any investigation,
  3. Must have been a member of ANWO doing active work for 6 months prior to the election (the 6 month stipulation for doing active work will not apply to the founding conference election)
  4. Must have reached the age of 18 before the election occurs

Section 6.4 The International Executive Committee (IEC) is the highest body of ANWO when the convention is not in session. The day to day affairs and political activities of ANWO shall be led by, monitored and  directed by the IEC.

Section 6.4.1 The International Executive Committee shall be empowered to establish branches in a country, state, province, or city.

Section 6.4.2 A branch in a country, state, local or province may be established with a simple majority affirmative vote of the IEC after a 70% quorum of the sitting IEC has been established.

Section 6.4.3 The International Executive Committee shall be empowered to terminate the membership of any regional Committee, National Committee, branch or individual for gross violations of ANWO policies and constitution and actions harmful to the unity or functioning of the organization in its struggle for empowerment of African women in particular and the African nation in general.

Section 6.4.4 Upon a finding of cause the International Executive Committee may establish a trusteeship and trustee over the assets and affairs of any regional committee, branch, national, or state organization or committee until the cause and its conditions are removed.

Section 6.4.5 The International Executive Committee shall establish agenda and program for the International Convention, including arrangements and support. The agenda and program of the International Convention shall provide for full opportunity to delegates for the reporting of country, state, province, or city actions

Section 6.4.6 Policy resolutions on national actions and concerns will be submitted to the International Executive Committee at least two months before the International Convention. The IEC shall act as the resolutions Committee. The International Executive Committee shall consider whether the resolutions submitted are consistent with the constitution of ANWO and policies of the ASI.

Section 6.4.7 Upon approval of the policy resolutions the International Executive Committee will send proposed policy resolutions to all ANWO branches and other representatives for discussion and consideration at least one month before the International Convention.

Section 6.5 The International Executive Committee Officers and Responsibilities

6.5.1 International President

  • Chief representative of the organization;
  • Presides over the meetings of the IEC;
  • Supervises, and manages the International  in the performance of their duties and exercise of their powers
  • Ensures and supervises the implementation of the ANWO vision, mandate, Convention and or conference resolutions
  • Initiates and maintains diplomatic alliances, united fronts and international relations;
  • Promotes and advances the goals, policies and vision of the organization;
  • Takes decisions in the best interests of the organization, with such decisions in due course being subject to ratification by the IEC or International Convention
  • The President may delegate some of his/her responsibilities to the Vice President or another member of the IEC;
  • Reports and accounts to the IEC for the exercise and performance of his/her powers and functions;
  • Gives a Political Report at each Convention
  • Appoints the International Vice President in Consultation with the IEC

6.5.2 International Vice President

  • Anticipates the needs of the President;
  • Conducts or coordinates research, prepares speeches, presentations and talking points for the President on an array of topics and for a breadth of constituents;
  • Liaises with Party and movement leadership;
  • Facilitates communication and works closely with the President’s Administrative Assistant;
  • Acts as the President’s representative and ambassador to external constituents as directed;
  • In collaboration with the Administrative Assistant, ensures planning for key committees and board meetings to include:
  • Develops memos, communiqués, and correspondence;
  • Prepares agendas, identifies meeting participants in coordination with the International Secretary
  • Ensures that appropriate follow-up actions are taken;
  • Initiates subsequent follow-up meetings and communication for key committees and others as directed;
  • Works with the Administrative Assistant to ensure accuracy, coordination, and prioritization of the calendar;Reports to the President and the IEC;
  • Provides leadership to the Director of Information and Education
  • Builds office to capacity, which includes staffing, procedures

 

6.5.3        International Director of Recruitment and Membership

  • Develops the Plan of Action for ANWO recruitment internationally, that includes but is not limited to recruitment campaigns, membership retention, and streamlining of the membership process;
  • Secures the membership fee and dues payments from ANWO members on a monthly basis;
  • Sends a written monthly recruiting and membership report to the President
  • Builds office to capacity, which includes staff, procedures
  • Forwards the dues payments to the Treasurer
  • Builds a sustainable budget for the efficient operation of the office;
  • Provides training to members on recruitment and the process for bringing in new members;
  • Organizes throughout the world to recruit new members and maintain the membership of the members
  • Will maintain a secured master membership roll of all ANWO members
  • Will attend meetings of the IEC

 

6.5.4  Director of Economic Development

  • Promotes ANWO economic self reliance and development policies;
  • Provides leadership to the subordinate economic structures throughout the ANWO;
  • Provides oversight over resources and fundraising institutions built and/or administered by ANWO
  • Provides financial and related training and expertise to the entire organization and its component parts;
  • Establishes and oversees standardized policies within ANWO and its structures for efficient, appropriate and security-based handling of finances and other resources;
  • Liaises with the various departments of the ASI  to establish, oversee and achieve the budget requirements of the ASI ;
  • Develops and implements resource generation and mobilization strategies to ensure resources are raised for programs, events, conferences and the Party Congress;
  • Implements the financial policy of the organization;
  • Reports to the President and IEC;
  • Manages and maintains ANWO resources and assets;
  • Builds office to capacity, which includes staffing, procedures
  • Gives a financial report to the IEC monthly and delivers the financial report to the ANWO convention
  • Builds the Economic Development Committee to capacity to forward the goals and mission of the office

6.5.5        Director of Information and Education

  • Ensures that information is distributed using the basic outreach training manual
  • Liaises with international multilateral bodies and political organizations;
  • Ensures promotion of the organization internally and  internationally;
  • Establishes and directs international outreach
  • Is responsible for the formulation of international affairs policy;
  • Reports to the International Vice President and IEC;
  • Builds office to capacity, which includes staffing, procedures
  • Ensures the development of literature promoting the organization
  • Builds Information and Education Committee to capacity to forward the goals and mission of the office

 

6.5.6        International Secretary

  • Ensures information flow to and from the President’s Office, via all types of venues (forums, correspondence, speeches, conferences, retreats, etc.)
  • Facilitates communication with the IEC and external organizations and individuals and works closely with the President’s Administrative Assistant;
  • Ensures the recording of the minutes of the IEC, conferences and Conventions;
  • Develops the IEC meeting agenda in consultation with the President
  • Maintains a secondary file of the members of ANWO

 

6.5.7        International Treasurer

  • Shall be responsible and accountable for the collection, receipt and banking of funds of the organization;
  • Ensures audit of the financial statements of the funds of the organization;
  • Reports to the IEC
  • Gives a Financial Report to the Central Committee quarterly — January, April, July and October of each year — and a Financial Report to the International ANWO convention;
  • Manages and maintains ANWO bank assets and records
  • Gives a financial report to the IEC monthly and delivers the financial report to the ANWO convention
  • Builds office to capacity, which includes staffing, procedures and office hours

 

6.5.8        International Regional Directors

  1. International Regional Director- North Africa
  2. International Regional Director- Central Africa
  3. International Regional Director- South Africa
  4. International Regional Director- Europe
  5. International Regional Director- Caribbean
  6. International Regional Director- South America
  7. International Regional Director- North America

Section 6.6 The International Executive Committee in place may recommend the membership of the succeeding International Executive Committee to the Convention. The membership of the International Executive Committee, except for the International President, will be elected by the Convention every two years and must maintain good standing status during the course of their terms. Good standing is defined as a member who is current with their dues, is not under investigation for misconduct of any kind

Section 6.7 Members of the International Executive Committee may be removed for cause by either the Central Committee of the African Socialist International or the National President of the ANWO.

Section 6.8 Time and Place of Meetings of the International Executive Committee of the ANWO.

a. The International Executive Committee shall meet on a bimonthly basis for 2 hour meetings and have day-long quarterly meetings either in-person or through web conferencing.
b. The International Executive Committee shall meet at a location determined by the President
c. The IEC shall receive prior notice of 30 days before the IEC meetings
d. The IEC shall receive the agenda 15 days before the IEC meetings
e. The IEC shall receive the IEC meeting minutes within days of the completion of the bi-monthly IEC meeting and 2 weeks after the completion of the quarterly meeting.

ARTICLE 7 REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND BRANCH STRUCTURES

Section 7.1 Regional Committee Structure – The Regional committees supervise the monitor the work of the National Committees

  1. International Regional Director – Presides over a ANWO Regional committee, provides guidance for the National Representatives within their regional jurisdiction
  2. Regional Secretary – Records the minutes of all Regional Committee meetings. Corresponds to internal and external communications. Provides the International Regional Director with assistance making the agenda for Regional meetings
  3. Regional, Treasurer – Maintains the banking records and bank account of a Regional ANWO Committee. Audits the finances of the Regional Committee annually
  4. Regional Coordinator of Recruitment and membership – Primarily responsible for developing and implement the recruitment campaigns on a regional scope. Maintains the membership database for the regional committee
  5. Regional Coordinator of Information and Education –  Assures the development of propaganda material for the promotion of an ANWO bRegion. Implements the distribution of fliers posters, social media messages and other means of information to the public and internally within the region of their jurisdiction
  6. Regional Coordinator of Economic Development – Primarily responsible for developing and implementing the plan for sustainable resource generation to meet the operational budget of a regional ANWO Organization
  7. National Representatives – Represents their respective countries in the Regional Committee. Reports to the Regional Committee on the activities of their respective countries

Section 7.2 National Committees (NC)- Supervise and monitor the work of the states, provinces, and cities within a particular country. The National Committee may hold conferences to consolidate and grow the National Organization

  1. National Representative – Presides over the National ANWO committee, provides guidance for the branch leaders within the country of their jurisdiction
  2. National Secretary – Records the minutes of all National Committee meetings. Corresponds to internal and external communications. Provides the National representative with assistance making the3 agenda for NC meetings
  3. National Treasurer- maintains the banking records and bank account of National ANWO Committees. Audits the finances of the National Committee annually
  4. National Coordinator of Recruitment and Membership- Primarily responsible for developing and implement the recruitment campaigns on a national scope. Maintains the membership database.
  5. National Coordinator of Information and Education – Assures the development of propaganda material for the promotion of ANWO. Implements the distribution of fliers posters, social media messages and other means of information to the public and internally
  6. National Coordinator of Economic Development – primarily responsible for developing and implementing the plan for sustainable resource generation to meet the operational budget of a National ANWO Organizational

Section 7.3  Branches carry out the local work of ANWO. The Branches may hold local conferences to consolidate the branch and grow its membership. Branches may be formed in a state, county or country. In general the jurisdiction of the branch is the city in which was formed, however the branch jurisdiction may extend beyond a city with the approval of the National Committee, Regional Committee or IEC

  1. Branch President – Presides over the local ANWO branch, provides political leadership for the branch and branch executive committee within their local Jurisdiction
  2. Branch Secretary – Records the minutes of all Branch executive and membership meetings. responds to internal and external communications. Provides the Branch President with assistance making the agenda for Branch executive Committee meetings
  3. Branch Treasurer – maintains the banking records and bank account of an ANWO branch. Audits the finances of the Branch annually
  4. Branch Coordinator of Recruitment and Membership – Primarily responsible for developing and implementing the recruitment campaigns on a local scope. Maintains the membership database of the branch.
  5. Branch Coordinator of Information and Education – Assures the development of propaganda material for the promotion of ANWO on the locally. Implements the distribution of fliers posters, social media messages and other means of information to the public and internally on behalf of the branch
  6. Branch Coordinator of Economic Development –  Primarily responsible for developing and implementing the plan for sustainable resource generation to meet the operational budget of an ANWO branch

Section 7.3.1 Branches may request to host the National Conference.

Section 7.3.2 Requirements for forming Branches and Organizing Committees

  1. The offices of President, Secretary, Recruitment and Membership, and Economic Development must be filled to form a branch organizing Committee.
  2. The ANWO Organizing Committee establishes its desired area of jurisdiction i.e. county, city, province, state etc.
  3. The Organizing Committee must make a payment of $60.00 to the International Executive Committee for a Branch association fee
  4. The organizing Committee completes and submits the Branch Certification Form to the IEC
  5. The International Executive Committee receives the Branch Certification Form
  6. The IEC approves the Branch and the Certification form is sent back to the Organizing Committee recognizing the group as a branch

ARTICLE 8 INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT OF ANWO

Section 8.1 The National President of ANWO shall be a member of ANWO and a representative of the African  Socialist International  appointed by the Chairman of the African Socialist International, subject to the advice of the International Executive Committee of ANWO, who shall serve at the will of the African Socialist International

Section 8.2  Between meetings of the International Executive Committee, the International President shall have authority to exercise all of the powers of ANWO.

Section 8.3 The International Executive Committee must pay reasonable compensation to the International President to serve on a full-time basis and may appoint

Section 8.3.1 The International Vice-President appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Committee should be paid reasonable compensation to represent the President.

ARTICLE 9 ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER

Section 9.1 Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used to preside over meetings of ANWO

Section 9.2 The IEC may adopt rules of procedure outside of Robert’s Rules when deemed necessary

Article 10 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Section 10.1 The ANWO Constitution may be amended or revised by a two-thirds majority vote of the qualified delegates attending the  International Convention

Section 10.2  Constitutional amendment proposals must be received by the IEC for review and approval  a minimum of 90 days before the International Convention. The founding conference will not adhere to the 90 days advance requirement.

Section 10.3 Only members and branches may submit proposals for constitutional amendments

Section 10.4  Only Amendment proposals approved by a two thirds majority of the IEC will be brought to the International Convention Floor