Vermont Gambia Women’s Organization Constitution
NAME: Vermont Gambia Women Organization (VGGP)
ADDRESS: The Gambia, West Coast Region, Bafuloto Village
AIMS & OBJECTIVES: The Vermont Gambia Women Organization (VGGP) is a community-based sustainable development project established in 2017 to improve the lives and livelihood of its members. Our goal is to enhance food security and livelihood for members, their families, and the community. We promote well-being through investments in small-scale, locally managed, development and education projects in the Bafuluto Village. Project objectives focus on four main areas: 1) clean water & sanitation; 2) enhanced food security, 3) youth education, and 4) female empowerment and entrepreneurship.
MEMBERSHIP: Membership is open to all families in the Bafuloto Village, West Coast Region of The Gambia, with a focus on women seeking to improve the lives and livelihood of their families. Members (or the people in their compound) are required to contribute 10+ hours per month to organizational leadership and VGGP project management.
SOURCE of FUNDING: VGGP strengthens relations between the people in Vermont (USA) and The Gambia. Project co-founders from the USA and The Gambia collaborate on budget management and fundraising. Currently, most of the funding comes from the financial support of “Friends of VGGP” in the United States. Our long-term goal is for the VGGP to be financially self-sustaining with income generated locally through several successful women-run enterprises: tent / chair rentals, food production/sales, facility fees, etc.
VOTING: The VGGP strives to make decisions by consensus at regular meetings. Women current in volunteering 10+ hours per month to VGGP are considered voting members. Whenever consensus cannot be reached, each voting member may cast a single vote on decision making issues. Approval requires 51% of the total.
MEETINGS: Members meet weekly to discuss progress, challenges, and opportunities. Whenever possible decisions are made by consensus. All community members are encouraged to share ideas and VGGP is open to feedback from neighbors, NGOs, and experts who can advise on community-development and consult when challenges arise.
Financial Reporting: Project managers provide regular financial updates and make financial reports available to community members upon request.
Project Updates: VGGP posts regular project updates including milestones, outcomes and impact on its website and via social media.
QUORUM: The assembly needs a quorum of two thirds (2/3) to adopt articles.
AMENDMENTS: This Constitution requires two thirds (2/3) vote to pass amendments.
PENALTIES & DISCIPLINE: The VGGP seeks to promote eco-friendly practices including waste reduction, water conservation, and biodiversity protection. We encourage the sustainable use of local resources, incorporating traditional knowledge and practices. Compliance is voluntary and there are no penalties. We seek to resolve conflicts through mediation within the community.
DISSOLUTION: Two thirds (2/3) of the vote is needed to dissolve the VGGP. At which time, resources owned by the organization may be sold and the proceeds invested in local projects that advance missions like those of the VGGP.
EXECUTIVE MEMBERS: The undersigned executive members, on 11-22-22 in The Gambia, West Coast Region, Bafuloto Village (this is our address), hereby adopt this Constitution to guide our work advancing the sustainable development goals of VGGP.
