Constitution and Bylaws

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

CONSTITUTION JANUARY 2002

Partnership Afghanistan (Canada) is a non-political, non-governmental, non-partisan and non-profit volunteer humanitarian organization whose core objectives are to provide services that contribute towards long-term sustainable peace and development in Afghanistan and to undertake and manage need assessment surveys, design of projects, monitoring, evaluation and training and improvement of capacity building at the local level through community participation.

Partnership Afghanistan Canada’s strategy for activities and programs is, therefore, built on and strengthens existing local institutions. Partnership Afghanistan Canada intends to develop local capacity, utilize the allocated resources properly, improve the technical aspects of the rehabilitation and development, and the efficiency and effectiveness of the projects in Afghanistan. The delivery of services by Partnership Afghanistan Canada is based on practices that ensure gender equity, community engagement and active youth participation.

Besides direct delivery of service, Partnership Afghanistan intends to work in Partnership and co¬ordination with other humanitarian Afghan and non-Afghan organizations in the area. Also, Partnership Afghanistan Canada will serve as a consultant or as an implementing agency to organizations that are or interested in getting involved in humanitarian and development work in Afghanistan.

In the future Partnership Afghanistan also intends to be a source of comprehensive business and business-related consultations to both Afghan and non-Afghan business sectors that desire to invest and do business in (and with) Afghanistan. Partnership Afghanistan will promote and encourage long-term foreign direct investment that contributes toward long-term economic growth and stability in Afghanistan.

Partnership Afghanistan is founded and managed by qualified prominent Afghan intellectuals and professionals from diverse fields of expertise. It is open to all Afghans and non-Afghans professionals who are willing to provide voluntary contributions to the objectives of the organization.

ARTICLE I. INTRODUCTION

Two decades of conflict in Afghanistan not only has destroyed the economic infrastructure of the country but has also demolished its educational, social and material resources In the wake of the internationally backed and brokered Bonn agreement between different warring and political Afghan factions there is now hope that the dearly sought after peace may finally return to Afghanistan. However. there is a common consensus that for peace to materialize and sustain the reconstruction and restoration of some basic economic, social and educational infrastructure is a must.

In the opening statement of the Afghanistan of Tomorrow conference, the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) of the Canadian Government, the Hon. Rey Pagtakhan M.P. Noted that Canada had a long-standing commitment to the people of Afghanistan. lie. however. added that while Canada with the international community stands ready to be an active participant in supporting Afghanistan, Afghan men and women must be engaged in the planning of reconstruction and that the Afghan Diaspora “play a critical role in providing the necessary expertise to rebuild Afghanistan’.

Encouraged by the promising statement of the Honourable Minister Pagtakhan, the invited prominent Afghan intellectuals and experts in diverse professions held a number of meetings during the conference to discuss what important roles they could play in the rebuilding of their country From these intra-Afghan dialogues emerged a consensus on an urgent and critically important need for the formation of a body of the Afghan and some non-Afghan intellectuals and experts that could not only play a direct role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan but also help and advise the Afghan Diaspora and the international community on efficient and effective use of their placed resources and services in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

It has been the urgency of such a need that necessitated the establishment of Partnership Afghanistan, a body of Afghan and non-Afghan experts and professionals with deep and active interest in Afghanistan.

ARTICLE II. CORE OBJECTIVES

Partnership Afghanistan is a non-political, non-governmental, non-partisan and non-profit volunteer humanitarian organization (NGO), incorporate with the government of Canada and Afghanistan in February 2002, whose core objectives include:

The provision of services that contribute towards long-term sustainable peace and development in Afghanistan:
The undertaking and managing of need assessment surveys. project designs, monitoring. evaluation and training and improving of local capacity building through community participation;

Working in partnership and co-ordination with other humanitarian Afghan and non-Afghan organizations in the area and also serving as a consultant or as an implementing agency to organizations that are, or. interested in getting involved in humanitarian and development work in Afghanistan;

Being a source of comprehensive business- and business-related consultations to both Afghan and non-
Afghan business sectors that desire to invest and do business in (and with) Afghanistan;
Promotion and encouragement of long-term foreign direct investment that contributes toward long-term
economic growth and stability in Afghanistan;

ARTICLE I. INTRODUCTION

Two decades of conflict in Afghanistan have destroyed the country’s economic infrastructure and have also demolished its educational, social and material resources. In the wake of the internationally-backed and brokered Bonn agreement between different warring and Afghan political factions, there is now hope that the dearly sought after peace may finally return to Afghanistan. However, there is a universal consensus that for peace to materialize and sustain the reconstruction and restoration of some necessary economic, social and educational infrastructure is a must.

In the opening statement of the Afghanistan of Tomorrow conference, the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) of the Canadian Government, the Hon. Rey Pagtakhan M.P. Noted that Canada had a long-standing commitment to the people of Afghanistan. However, added that while Canada with the international community stands ready to be an active participant in supporting Afghanistan, Afghan men and women must be engaged in the planning of reconstruction and that the Afghan Diaspora “plays a critical role in providing the necessary expertise to rebuild Afghanistan’.

Encouraged by the promising statement of the Honourable Minister Pagtakhan, the invited prominent Afghan intellectuals and experts in diverse professions held several meetings during the conference to discuss what essential roles they could play in the rebuilding of their country From these intra-Afghan dialogues emerged a consensus on an urgent and critically important need for the formation of a body of the Afghan and some non-Afghan intellectuals and experts that could not only play a direct role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan but also help and advise the Afghan Diaspora and the international community on the efficient and effective use of their placed resources and services for the rebuilding of Afghanistan.

It has been the urgency of such a need that necessitated the establishment of Partnership Afghanistan Canada, a body of Afghan and non-Afghan experts and professionals with a deep and active interest in Afghanistan.

ARTICLE II. CORE OBJECTIVES

The provision of services that contribute towards long-term sustainable peace and development in Afghanistan:
The undertaking and managing of need assessment surveys, project designs, monitoring, evaluation and training and improvement of local capacity building through community participation;

Working in Partnership and co-ordination with other humanitarian Afghan and non-Afghan organizations in the area and also serving as a consultant or as an implementing agency to organizations that are, or interested in getting involved in humanitarian and development work in Afghanistan;

Being a source of comprehensive business and business-related consultations to both Afghan and non-
Afghan business sectors that desire to invest and do business in (and with) Afghanistan;
Promotion and encouragement of long-term foreign direct investment that contributes toward long-term
economic growth and stability in Afghanistan;

ARTICLE III. ACTIVITIES

Partnership Afghanistan Canada can be involved in any of the following activities through programs, projects and partnerships and joint ventures.
• To carry out community-focused and community involved sustainable development and to deliver and or to assist with basic needs such as health. health education, clean water and primary education;
• To rehabilitate Afghan warriors and war victims
• To support local authorities and community representatives in capacity building
• To offer a full range of customized financial products, including terms loans, innovative quasi-equity financing and venture capital
• To support a business’ growth. quality import and export strategies by setting up a national network of consultants who provide affordable and result-driven consulting services;
• To promote direct investment and trade in Afghanistan by the national and international private business sectors in Afghanistan;
• To support equalization of opportunities and integration, promotion and protection of fundamental human rights of all individuals within Afghan society, including men. women and children and their full participation in education, economic, social and cultural activities within their communities:
• To reconstruct/rehabilitate the rural infrastructure such as the irrigation system, roads. water and community service infrastructures;
• To enhance the integration and inclusion of disadvantaged and marginalized groups such as visible minorities and people with disabilities:
• To support and encourage positive interaction between diverse Afghan populations and communities: To contribute to human resource management and training;
• To promote activities that strengthen civil societies and to promote self-reliance and self-help among individuals and communities;
• To provide published guidelines and directions to NGOs and other organizations for activities inside Afghanistan:
• To be a partner in identifying priority and quick-impact programs and in providing a database for such applications;
• To develop criteria for a needs assessment that will be of use not only for Partnership Afghanistan but also for other interested organizations:
• To conduct specific surveys that will be of critical help in the humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan:
• To contribute toward a long-term development map for Afghanistan;
• To provide advice, support, encouragement. training and opportunity for Afghan Diaspora to play their active and vital role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan;
• To organize workshops, conferences, seminars. group meetings and retreats on different specific aspects of reconstruction of Afghanistan and to participate in and contribute to international conferences on the restoration of Afghanistan:
• To pursue a reconstruction process driven by community participation comes from the “grassroots” up, rather than being donor-driven.

ARTICLE IV: BENEFICIARIES

The beneficiaries of Partnership Afghanistan (Canada) include Afghan and non-Afghan NGOs with projects and interests in Afghanistan, private sectors. Civil society organizations, Governments and international agencies and ordinary Afghans.

ARTICLE V: FUNDING SOURCES

Partnership Afghanistan Canada draws its financial resources from individuals, corporate and non-corporate organizations, and any funds available for development by the government and international agencies that assist in growth in less developed and developing countries. Potential financial donors include:

• US Agency for International Development (USAID); European Community humanitarian Office (ECHO): United Nations Development Program (UNDP):
• United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO);
• Government of Japan:
• Netherlands Development Agency (NEDA); GTZ;
• Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA);
• Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade;
• British Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Private Donors

ARTICLE VI: LOCATION

Partnership, Afghanistan Canada’s Heard-Quarter, is in Vancouver, BC, Canada, with sub-Offices in Afghanistan.

ARTICLE VII: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

a) The Board of Directors (BD)
The decision-making body of Partnership Afghanistan is the Board of Directors (BD). The BD comprises of experienced personalities and experts in different relevant fields and professions. Membership in the BD is achieved through the election in the general assembly meeting every year for a year. Founding Members, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Field Director and central secretary and administrator become automatic members of the BD with the Founders of the Organization as the permanent members of the BD.

The BD is responsible for the activities of Partnership Afghanistan Canada, which includes the approval and evaluation of projects: providing advice and guidance to both central and Field Director and officers; financial assessment and boycotting; calling monthly, quarterly, annual and emergency meetings. A BD member can be disqualified and therefore removed from the Board if he/she
• Remains absent without a legitimate reason in three consecutive BD meetings;
• Does not actively contribute toward the objectives of the organizations:
• Violates the code of the conduct of the organization.

The BD will hold meetings in the headquarters of Partnership Afghanistan. Every member of the board has the right of one vote in any decision-making. The decision of a simple fifty plus one majority must be accepted. The BD members will only work voluntarily and will receive no financial rewards for their contributions.

b) The Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the operating authority and is responsible for the organization’s day-to-day functioning. The CEO is appointed and therefore, can be removed by two-thirds of the BD. The Field Director is the subordinate of the CEO. The CEO is responsible for the following specific tasks:
• Quarterly and yearly reports;
• Boycotts, spending and activities of the organization;
• Recruitment, dismissal and layoffs of the personnel:
• Representing the organization in signing contracts and agreements;
• Opening and operating a bank account under the name of Partnership Afghanistan or authorizing other Partnership Afghanistan personnel to do his job.

The CEO is a paid position whose salary is determined by the BD. Field Director (FD) assists the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in all his/her duties. The FD automatically becomes acting CEO with the CEO authorities and responsibilities in the absence of the CEO.

c) Central Secretary and Administrator
The Central Secretary and Administrator carry out bookkeeping and administrative tasks of Partnership Afghanistan. This a paid job with such responsibilities as:
• Arranging the agenda of meetings;
• Writing up the minutes of BD meetings;
• Distribution of minutes;
• Calling members for meetings:
• Providing personal assistance to the CEO and the Deputy CEO;
• Filing and record keeping;
d) Field Director
Field Director carries out the operations of Partnership Afghanistan in the regions. Field Director is appointed and removed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with the consent and approval of the Board of Directors and their duties include:
1. Pursuance of the objectives of the organization at regional levels;
2. Implementation of projects; boycotting, reporting. and recommendation of projects:
3. Recruitment of local staff:
4. Serving as liaisons between the region and the central office of the organization;

e) Financial Manager
The financial management of the Partnership Afghanistan both in central and regional offices is the responsibility of the Financial Manager. The Financial Manager is responsible for keeping an updated balance sheet. Smooth and timely delivery of funds to the regional office. Collecting funds from donors and the issuing of salaries.

ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS

Partnership Afghanistan holds three types of meetings: monthly. Quarterly, annually and urgent. Monthly meetings are called to see the on-going implementation of plans and strategies. Quarterly meetings are invited for a quarterly assessment of the policies and programs and the introduction of new ideas and strategies; yearly meetings are called to present the annual report and evaluations of the existing and completed projects and outline and discuss the project’s plans for the next one year. Urgent meetings can be called for any urgent matter that cannot wait for the regular meetings. Critical meetings can be called when one-third of the Board of Directors call for it and can be convened within seven days of notification. The quorum for any meeting will be two-third of the voting members of the Partnership Afghanistan.

ARTICLE IX: AFFILIATIONS

Partnership Afghanistan (Canada) is incorporated with the Government of Canada, Government of Pakistan, Government of Afghanistan, and enlisted with Canadian Charity; European Charity; UK Charity; United Nations and Afghan Coordinating Agencies.

ARTICLE X: GENERAL/CONTACT INFORMATION
Name of the Organization: Partnership Afghanistan (Canada)
Founded: January 1, 2002. in Ottawa, Canada
Approved by:
Partnership Afghanistan (Canada) Board of Directors

Contact Persons:
Mrs. Shahnaz Qayumi
Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO) (778) 280-3559
Mailing Address:
Partnership Afghanistan (Canada)
1438 Chippendale Rd, West Vancouver, BC
V7S 2N6 Canada
E-mail:[email protected]
Corporate Name: Partnership Afghanistan (Canada)
Corporation Number: 406659-6
Charity Registration Number: 86504 7864 RP 0001
Vancity Bank
Vancouver City Savings credit Union, West Vancouver Community Branch
West Vancouver, BC V7T 1B7 Telephone (604) 877.7000.
Account Name: Partnership Afghanistan (Canada)

ARTICLE XI: FINAL PROVISION
This Constitution is completed in XI articles, and it is effective as of January 1, 2002, and supersedes any previous Constitution. We, the undersigned, whose names are subscribed below. Have agreed to serve as Board of Directors of Partnership Afghanistan Canada with full commitment in the essence and spirit of the Constitution described in the above articles.

ARTICLE IX: AFFILIATIONS

Partnership Afghanistan (Canada) is incorporated with the Government of Canada, Government of Pakistan, Government of Afghanistan, and also enlisted with Canadian Charity; European Charity; UK Charity; United Nations and Afghan Coordinating Agencies.