CONSTITUTION
Salvation army STUDENTS’ fellowship
(sasf)-UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE (UZ)
1. INTRODUCTION
The Salvation Army Student Fellowship -University of Zimbabwe (SASF-UZ) is a group comprised of UZ Salvation Army students, their associates and adherents
We believe the bible is the sovereign and final scriptural reference in all matters of faith and conduct
The Doctrinal Basis is that of the
Salvation Army way of operation
2. MISSION STATEMENT
To preach the uncompromised gospel of Jesus Christ on- and off- campus, meeting human needs without discrimination for the glory of God
3. VISION
To raise a generation of graduates who are of compassion and conviction and committed to establish the kingdom of God
4. OBJECTIVES
To raise a generation of God fearing and compassionate graduates who will precipitate positive change in the lives of many in Zimbabwe through spiritual and educational initiatives
To establish a support network of fellowship among the graduates that promotes Christian ethics, dedication, diligence, honesty and excellence on the ex*****on of duties at national level
To undertake evangelical work in universities, colleges and other similar institutions
To be ushers in the establishment of the kingdom of God in Zimbabwe and precipitate revival
5. VALUES
Honesty
Integrity
Punctuality
Team work
Respect for others
Non- violence
Discipline
Godliness
7. LEGAL NATURE AND PERSONA
A corporate body with perpetual succession. Not solely dependant on an individual
Capable of acquiring movable or immovable property in group’s name
Recognized by and registered under the Territorial Salvation Army Student Fellowship Council and Senior Chaplain’ s office -UZ
8. STRUCTURES
a. Leadership
SASF-UZ is headed by an executive board comprising of 12 members who will be active for 12 months before the next elections are held. SASF-UZ Committee Composition
Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer
Heads of Departments which include coordination of Music, Prayer and Outreach programs
c. Selection Of Office Bearers
The selection of chairperson and other committee members is held annually by all members
The committee candidates must be nominated by at least half of the group members in order to stand for selection
The nomination process shall take place 3 weeks before the selection process
The new committee is the commissioned by Territorial Youth Officer
d. Term of Office
The term of office for SASF-UZ committee members is 12 months and there is subject to re-election to the same or other post in the executive committee. Board members shall serve for a maximum of two years.
Outgoing committee members should attend SASF-UZ meetings for 3 months after their term of office in order to oversee the running of the meetings under the new committee
e. Patronage
The SASF-UZ, at any point in time shall have at least three patrons. A patron is an advisor of the group. He/she must be devout and respected senior member of the church. A patron may be newly elected or elected annually by the committee
The SASF-UZ is registered with the Senior Chaplain at the University Of Zimbabwe
9. DISCIPLINE
The committee handles all issues pertaining to discipline
All decisions pertaining to disciplinary issues are binding if more than half of executive board members are in agreement
The chairperson or the vice chairperson together with the at least 5 members of the committee has the power to suspend, investigate and/or dismiss any member of the executive should he/she be found to be in breach of the association` s rules and regulations which include:
Bringing the association’s name into disrepute
Improper conduct in the association’s business
Misrepresentation and/or use of the association’s name for personal gain
Theft
Should a case of discipline involve a member of the committee the executive committee will accordingly deal with such a mater and follow the usual procedures of suspension, investigation and/or dismissal if such a member is convicted
Evidence and decisions shall be submitted to patrons and chaplain in all disciplinary issues
If a disciplinary case involves the sitting chairperson, the decision to suspend, investigate and/or dismiss is taken by a vote of no confidence by the whole committee. The vice chairperson then assumes an acting role until such a time as a substantive decision is taken
One can only be removed from the SASF-UZ committee after consultation with the Salvation Army Territorial Youth. An appeal may be lodged
10. ADMINISTRATION
Roles
a. The Chairperson
A principled member who upholds the integrity of the group
Oversees all the operations of the association
Has the mandate to make decisions in between meetings in consultation with the committee
Chairs SASF–UZ committee meetings and liaises with the patrons in terms of functions and activities of the association
Has no absolute veto. Is accountable to the rest of the committee
Coordinates the different activities of the group
Reports to Territorial Head-Quarters (THQ)
Compiles a yearly report to be presented at the Annual General Meeting at the end of each year
Sanctions all the expenses of the fellowship with consultation with the committee
Epilogue and benediction
b. The Vice-Chairperson and Coordinator
Advises the chairperson
Oversees and coordinates the work of the different departments
Distributes tasks to the departments and assesses their progress
Functions as the Public Relations Officer
Coordinates the mentorship programme
Deputizes for the Chairperson in his/her absence
c. The Secretary and Public Relations Officer
The Secretary is the administrator of the group
Prepares minutes of the meetings
Delivery of announcements and updates of the group activities
Receives reports from the different departments, organizes their documentation
Sets agendas and gives monthly reports on the operation of SASF-UZ
Is the Public Relations Officer and thus deals with communication within the fellowship as well with patrons
Handles all trade issues together with the treasurer
d. The Treasurer
Responsible for fund raising activities Prepares budgets, gives financial reports monthly and is signatory for withdrawals and deposits from the fellowship account
Keeps financial records
Administers funds, financial policies and assets of SASF-UZ
Executes all withdrawals, expenses and transactions within the framework of the fiscal policy laid down by the leadership
The finance department will run with the assistance of a qualified financial advisor who oversees the running of the group’s finances from a professional’s point of view
Handles all trade issues together with the secretary
Misconduct in the finance department includes:
Discrepant books
Money laundering
Using funds for personal use
Members involved in the abuse of funds are answerable to the disciplinary committee which involves the whole executive committee
e. Prayer ,Praise and Worship Leaders
Comprises of two leaders
Coordinates the prayer meetings, group fasts and all night prayers
Ensures that prayer sessions continue and encourages people to have prayer as a lifestyle
Links with all the other departments and organizes prayer meetings for the concerns and needs of a certain department
In charge of the praise and worship in the main SASF-UZ meetings, in prayer meetings and in all other departments
Coordinates all group practices, presentations and items
Recruitment and identifying talented people
Always prepared to give presentations to motivate people spiritually
f. Outreach Team
Comprises of two members who are in charge of
Identifying and liaising with potential and actual sponsors of the group
Responsible for out rich logistics
Outreach Programs e.g. Hospital Cleanups, medical –evangelical outreaches to rural districts, guidance and counseling program
Facilitates inter-fellowship with other SASF groups
g. Ushering team
Comprises of two members who are in charge of:
Welcome and es**rt of guests
Giving programs and fliers to new members
Organizing and distributing food to guests or visitors
Interior and exterior decoration in the chapel
h. Committee members
Comprises of two members who are in charge of replacing any absent executive board member
11. Operations
The committee shall hold weekly updates and may convene an ad-hoe meeting at the request of any member of the committee in consultation with the chairperson
Four members of the committee in attendance, including either the chairperson or vice chairperson form a quorum and any decisions made shall be deemed binding to all
The SASF members have a combined group meeting once a week
The heads of the different departments and the sub-committees are responsible for the activities of their restrictive departments and should report weekly to the chairperson
12. Administration of Resources
Any resources or property acquired on behalf of SASF-UZ remain the property of SASF-UZ. Breach of this regulation is punishable by dismissal on conviction and consideration by the executive committee to get the offender prosecuted if magnitude of misappropriation of funds or property is deemed grossly inexcusable
b. Administration of Funds
SASF-UZ has an operating financial account with at least three signatories. The signatories must be members of the executive committee
c. Source of Funding
SASF-UZ is a student’s organization that relies on fundraising projects and donor funds for sustenance of its operations
13. AMENDMENTS
Any amendments to this constitution should first be presented before the founders and/or patrons of SASF-UZ before
NB; This is the current constitution which is currently being implemented and followed by the whole association
