C H A R T E R
ON
THE LOCAL BRANCH OF THE GEORGIA RED CROSS SOCIETY
Chapter I
General Part
Article 1
The local (village, district and city) organization (hereinafter "Local Branch") of the Georgia Red Cross Society represents a structural unit of the Georgia Red Cross Society, which shall execute its functions on the basis of the Law "On the Georgia Red Cross Society", the Statutes of the Georgia Red Cross Society (hereinafter "National Society","GRCS"), the following Charter on the Local Branch and the Georgian national legislation. Provisions of this Charter shall be binding for each local branch.
1.1 The decision about the establishment of the Local Branch shall be made by the Presidium of the General Assembly of the Georgia Red Cross Society. The organisational structure mainly coincides with the administrative-territorial division of the country. In addition to this, the Presidium of the General Assembly shall be entitled to establish a Local Branch even in the borders that might not coincide with administrative-territorial division of the country.
1.2 Local Branch may be created in the case of presence of minimum 7 members of the Georgia Red Cross Society.
1.3 Except the number of the GRCS members and administrative-territorial division of the country, during the decision making process concerning establishment of the local organization, the GA presidium shall consider the following criteria: high mountainous regions, risk zones in terms of natural disasters and conflicts, existence of human, financial and material resources, plan of action and performance of the statutory requirements.
1.4 Initiative group of the members of the Georgia Red Cross Society shall be authorized to propose the establishment of the local branch to the Presidium of the General Assembly.
1.5 In accordance with the Civil Code of Georgia, the Local Branch shall have the status of the branch office. The Local Branch shall not be a legal entity.
1.6 The local branch shall be accountable before the General Assembly of the Georgia Red Cross Society and its Presidium.
1.7 In case the statutory requirements have not met by the Local Branch, or it is not acting according to the internal regulations of the National Society, the Presidium of the General Assembly shall have a right to suspend all activities and abolish the Local Branch.
1.8 The membership of the Georgia Red Cross Society is voluntary.
1.9 The membership of the National Society is open to everyone, including refugees and returnees (if it does not contradict the legislation in force), without any discrimination on the grounds of race, color, language, sex, religion, political or other opinions, nationality, ethnic or social origin, property, status and place of residence, who acknowledges the Statute of the National Society and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
1.10 The membership of the Georgia Red Cross Society shall be granted by the local branches of the National Society on the basis of a written application according to the living (home) address, but in those territorial units where local branch does not exist - upon the decision of the Presidium of the General Assembly.
1.11 A person wishing to become a member of the Georgia Red Cross Society shall submit the copy of identity card along with the written application.
1.12 The Presidium of the Local Conference or the General Assembly shall examine a membership question at its nearest session.
1.13 The Presidium of the General Assembly shall determine the annual amount of a membership fee.
Chapter II
Goals and Objectives of the Local Branch
Article 2
The main goal of the Local Branches of the Georgia Red Cross Society, which is derived from the main goal of the National Society is to alleviate suffering of those in distress, to prevent and eliminate conditions, which cause such distress, to protect human honour and dignity, without any discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, religion, language, political or other opinions, property or civil status, place of residence. In compliance with the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and on the basis of the legislation in force in the country, the Local Branch fulfils the following objectives on the local level:
2.1 Prevention of various diseases and protection of health state of vulnerable people, carrying out activities necessary for improvement of conditions for those in distress, as well as administering charity programs in the fields of health and care, social welfare, disaster response, public education campaigns and psycho-social assistance;
2.2 Organizes emergency and other kinds of assistance operations for the victims of armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergency situations, establishes emergency relief services for the victims of disasters of all kinds;
2.3 Raises awareness about the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the main principles of the International Humanitarian Law, as well as disseminates information about the activities of the National Society among the population, in particular among children and youth, in order to promote the formation of ideals of mutual respect and understanding between all humans and peoples;
2.4 Provides medico-social, moral, psychological and other kind of assistance to the vulnerable groups of population through the establishment of relevant services;
2.5 In case of emergency situation on the territory of Georgia receives assistance from the central office of the Georgia Red Cross Society and/or from the bodies of local governance or self-governance;
2.6 Carries out charity activities in order to promote peace, friendship and mutual understanding among peoples in order to prevent social, ethnic and religious conflicts;
2.7 Cooperates with local authorities to ensure respect for International Humanitarian Law and protection of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Emblems;
2.8 Recruits, trains and prepares personnel, including volunteers, for the implementation of activities outlined in the Statutes of the Georgia Red Cross Society;
2.9 Collects information on the victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts through the tracing service and supplies the information to the relevant structures of the National Society at the central level;
2.10 Participates in developing public understanding on sanitary-hygienic issues, as well as provides basic knowledge regarding the first aid and basic healthcare;
2.11 Organizes fundraising activities on local level and uses collected donations for humanitarian activities in the country, as well as outside its boundaries, in coordination with the Presidium of the General Assembly of the National Society;
2.12 Carries out charitable, healthcare, medico-social, cultural-educational, informational, publishing, advertising, international-economic, tracing, consulting, legal, financial and other types of activities, the implementation of which are not prohibited for Nongovernmental Organizations by legislation in force.
CHAPTER III
Structure of the Local Branch
Article 3
The Georgia Red Cross Society at the local level shall be governed by:
- The Local Conference of the Local Branch
- The Presidium of the Local Conference of the Local Branch
- The Chairperson of the Local Branch
The management of the Local Branch shall be carried out by the local executive body - secretariat of the Local Branch.
CHAPTER IV
Governance of the Local Branch
Article 4. The Local Conference of the Local Branch
Composition of the Local Conference of the Local Branch:
The Local Conference of the Local Branch shall represent the Georgia Red Cross Society at the local level.
It shall be composed of:
- The members of the Presidium of the Local Conference of the Local Branch (hereinafter "Local Presidium"), including the Chairperson of the Local Branch;
- The members of the Local Brach.
Powers and authorities of the Local Conference of the Local Branch:
The Local Conference shall represent the governing body of the National Society at the local level.
The Local Conference of the Local Branch shall:
4.1 Elect the members of the Local Presidium, as well as the Chairperson of the Local Branch and propose the selected candidate for approval to the Presidium of the General Assembly;
4.2 Elect the delegates of the General Assembly of the Georgia Red Cross Society;
4.3 Review and approve the annual reports of activities carried out by the Local Branch and annual plans;
4.4 Review and approve the personal issue of the member about his/her expulsion from the National Society upon the decision of the Local Presidium for the violation of the Statute provisions, the Fundamental Principles of the Movement and for engagement in activities, which are detrimental to the reputation and authority of the National Society.
If the post of the Chairperson of the Local Branch is vacant or if the Chairperson is unable to carry out his/her responsibilities, Local Conference of the Local Branch shall elect the Chairperson for the term remaining until the new elections.
Sessions of the Local Conference of the Local Branch:
4.5 The Local Conference of the Local Branch shall be convened once a year. The time and the place of the session shall be determined by the preceding Local Conference of the Local Branch or by the Local Presidium, in case these issues have not been decided at the session of the Local Conference;
4.6 An extraordinary session of the Local Conference shall be convened by the Chairperson of the Local Branch, as well as by 1/3 of the members of the Local Presidium or upon the written request of 1/10 of the members of the Local Branch, addressed to the Local Presidium or to the Chairperson of the Local Branch; The extraordinary session of the Local Conference may also be convened by the request of 1/3 of the Presidium of General Assembly;
4.7 The members of the Local Branch shall be informed about the session of the Local Conference two weeks prior to the date of the session in writing, by published announcement or through local mass media;
4.8 The President of the National Society, the Vice-President(s), any member of the Presidium of the General Assembly and the Secretary General shall be entitled to participate in the sessions of the Local Conference as non-voting members.
Procedures of the Local Conference of the Local Branch:
4.9 The session of the Local Conference shall be presided by the Chairperson of the Local Branch or in case of his/her absence by the other member of the Local Presidium upon the decision of the Local Presidium;
4.10 All decisions of the Local Conference shall be made through open or secret ballot upon the decision of the members of the Local Conference. Each member shall enjoy the right to a single vote;
4.11 The decision shall be considered made by the Local Conference if it is supported by the simple majority of the attending members. In case of even distribution of votes, the vote of the Chairperson of the Local Branch shall be decisive;
4.12 The session of the Local Conference shall be documented in writing (minutes).
Article 5. The Presidium of the Local Conference of the Local Branch
The Composition of the Presidium of the Local Conference of the Local Branch:
The Presidium of the Local Conference of the Local Branch (hereinafter "The Local Presidium"), composed of minimum three and maximum five persons based on the number of members of the Local Branch (under 500 members - 3 persons, over 500 members - 5 persons), shall govern the National Society at the local level between the sessions of the Local Conference.
The Local Presidium shall be composed of:
- The Chairperson of the Local Branch;
- The representatives elected by the Local Conference from among the members of the Local Conference.
The Local Conference of the Local Branch shall elect the members of the Local Presidium for the term of four years. They shall be accountable before the Local Conference. The same person may only be elected for two consecutive terms.
If a member of the Local Presidium obtains a post in the state government or self-government body or in any political party, he/she shall automatically lose membership of the Presidium.
Powers and authorities of the Presidium of the Local Conference of the Local Branch:
The Local Presidium shall:
5.1 Govern the National Society between the sessions of the Local Conference at the local level;
5.2 Ensure that the goals of the Local Branch are in line with the statutory requirements and the overall policy of the National Society, secure its effectiveness during the long-term planning and provide recommendations regarding the priorities of the National Society at the local level;
5.3 Implement policy and strategy of the highest governing bodies of the National Society, as well as monitor the implementation of the decisions made by the governing bodies of the National Society at the local level;
5.4 Hear the reports of the Executive Secretary of the Local Branch on the activities carried out;
5.5 Monitor the progress of fulfilment of the National Society budget at the local level;
5.6 Approve the candidacy of the Executive Secretary of the Local Secretariat on the recommendation of the Chairperson of the Local Branch and dismiss the Executive Secretary, if he/she fails to perform his/her tasks;
5.7 Set additional criteria for the groups of vulnerable people and the aid recipients at the local level, with the view to the local specifications;
5.8 Facilitate the membership of the National Society and monitor it at the local level;
5.9 Nominate candidates for the title of honourable member of the National society, as well as for the State Award for the Exceptional Contribution to the Presidium of the General Assembly for approval;
5.10 Submit to the Local Conference a personal issue of the member about his/her expulsion from the National Society for the violation of the Statute provisions, the Fundamental Principles of the Movement and for engagement in activities, which are detrimental to the reputation and authority of the National Society;
5.11 Ensure the implementation of the decisions of the highest governing bodies of the National Society and the statutory requirements.
Sessions of the Presidium of the Local Conference of the Local Branch:
5.12 The sessions of the Presidium of the Local Conference shall be held upon necessity, but at least once every three months;
5.13 The session of the Local Presidium shall be convened by the Chairperson of the Local Branch; the members of the Presidium shall be informed about the date and place of the session by a prior notification (notification message may be sent by mail or courier, with other technical facilities as well, such as: telephone message, telegram, e-mail, fax, as well as by phone call);
5.14 An extraordinary session of the Presidium of the Local Conference shall be convened by the Chairperson of the Local Branch or upon a written request of 1/3 of the members of the Local Presidium, addressed to the Chairperson of the Local Branch;
Procedures of the Presidium of the Local Conference of the Local Branch:
5.15 The session of the Local Presidium shall be presided by the Chairperson of the Local Branch or in case of his/her absence by the other member of the Local Presidium upon the decision of the Local Presidium;
5.16 The session of the Local Presidium shall be authorized if it is attended by the majority (more than half) of the members of the Presidium. The decisions of the Presidium are made by the simple majority through an open or a secret ballot upon the decision of the Local Presidium;
5.17 Each member of the Presidium shall enjoy the right to a single vote. In case of even distribution of votes, the vote of the Chairperson of the Local Branch shall be decisive.
5.18 In case of absence of quorum the repeated session shall be convened no later than in 4 (four) weeks.
5.19 The meeting of the Local Presidium shall be documented in writing (minutes).
Article 6. The Chairperson of the Local (village, district and city) Branch
A member of the relevant village, district or city Branch of the Georgia Red Cross Society may become a Chairperson of the Local Branch.
The Chairperson of the Local Branch shall be elected for a four-year term by a Local Conference of a Local Branch; his/her candidacy shall be submitted to the Presidium of the General Assembly for approval. The Chairperson of the Local Branch shall be a delegate of the General Assembly. The same person may only be elected for two consecutive terms.
If the post of the Chairperson of the Local Branch is vacant or if the Chairperson is unable to carry out his/her functions, the Presidium of the Local Conference, as well as the Presidium of the General Assembly, shall appoint one of the members of the Local Presidium as an acting Chairperson of the Local Presidium until the next session of the Local Conference; subsequently the Local Conference of the Local Branch shall elect the Chairperson for the term that is remaining until the next election;
The Chairperson of the Local Branch shall:
6.1 Represent the organization at the local level;
6.2 Convene and preside over the sessions of the Local Conference and its Presidium;
6.3 Present the report on the activities of the Local Branch to the Local Conference and to the Presidium of the General Assembly;
6.4 Coordinate the activities of the governing bodies of the Local Brach;
6.5 Perform all the duties assigned to him/her by the Local Conference and its Presidium;
6.6 Ensure and carry out effective measures for the development and strengthening of the structure of the National Society, with due consideration of the roles and responsibilities of the local governing and management bodies;
6.7 Monitor the projects implemented by the Local Branch and receive information about the on-going projects;
6.8 Establish business relations with the local governmental and non-governmental structures and other organizations;
6.9 Be guided, in the process of work, by the Statute of the Georgia Red Cross Society and this Charter and implement decisions and policies adopted by the governing bodies of the National Society;
6.10 In case of temporary absence of the Chairperson of the Local Branch, his/her duties shall be carried out by another member of the Presidium in the scope of competencies assigned to him/her, upon the decision of the Presidium of the Local Conference;
6.11 Consider recommendations of the Presidium of the Local Conference together with recommendations of the Presidium of the General Assembly in governing Local Branch and in organizational matters.
CHAPTER V
Incompatibility of the Officials
Elections, Rotation, Biographic Data of the Candidates
Article 7. Incompatibility of the Officials
Members of the governing bodies of the Local Branch, including the Chairperson, shall be selected only from those members of the National Society who are citizens of Georgia. Leaders and management officials of the Local Branch, the delegates of the General Assembly may not at the same time serve as Members of the Parliament of Georgia or local self-government representative body. They should not hold a position in the governmental or local executive structures. In accordance with the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement they should not be members of any political party.
Article 8. Elections, Rotation, Biographic Data of the Candidates
8.1 The members of the governing bodies of the Local Branch shall be elected by the Local Conference for four-year term. The same person can be elected only for two consecutive terms. The candidate nominated for the position of the Chairperson of the Local Branch shall meet the requirements stipulated by the article 26 of the Statute of the National Society and shall be selected based on the criteria set and established by the Presidium of the General Assembly:
a) Education level (at least the secondary education);
b) At least two years working experience in the Red Cross organization;
c) Absence of any type of Conflict of Interest (in accordance with the Movement Fundamental Principles)
8.2 The elections shall be held in accordance with the Elections Regulations of the National Society. For the purpose of transparency of the procedure, the governing bodies of the Local Branch shall consider personal issues by secret ballot, unless otherwise decided by the relevant governing bodies. The election procedures are defined in the rules of procedure.
8.3 The rotation of the members of the governing bodies of the Local Branch, including the delegates of the Local Conference, shall take place in accordance with the rotation procedure established under the Regulations adopted by the Presidium of the General Assembly of the National Society. The rotation shall ensure representation of newly elected and experienced members at the governing bodies of the National Society.
8.4 The members of the governing bodies of the Local Branch shall be guided by the Code of Conduct for the Presidium Members adopted by the General Assembly.
CHAPTER VI
Management of the Local Branch
Article 9.
The management of the Local Branch - the Executive Officer of the Local Secretariat (hereinafter - "Local Secretary") and the employees of the secretariat together with volunteers - shall carry out practical and targeted activities for the implementation of the policies and strategic priorities identified by the governing bodies of the National Society at the central and local levels, execute their decisions which requires organized daily functioning of the Secretariat. The Local Secretary shall be accountable to the Presidium of the Local Conference of the Local Branch and to the Secretary General of the National Society. The Local Secretary shall regularly inform the Chairperson of the Local Branch about the activities that have been carried out.
The regional management structure - Regional Officer, will be set up in the regions, in accordance with the administrative-territorial division of the country. Regional Officer shall provide technical and intellectual support to the governing and executive bodies of the relevant Local Branch in their activities, particularly in matters such as: the recruitment of members, monitoring of the recruitment, mobilization of local resources, local fundraising and etc. This is a paid position and the work shall be compensated from the local financial funds (income received through membership fees) or from ongoing programmes (projects).
Article 10.
Secretary of the Local Branch
The candidate for the position of the Local Secretary shall be presented to the Presidium of the Local Conference for approval upon the recommendation of the Chairperson of the Local Branch. The Local secretary, who is a paid person, shall be appointed by the Secretary General of the National Society upon the decision of the Local Presidium. Secretary General shall be authorized not to sign an employment contract and to refuse the appointment of the Local Secretary. He/she shall be obliged to inform the Local Presidium of such decision in writing and provide relevant explanation. The Local Presidium shall be entitled to address the Secretary General with the request to terminate the employment contract of the Local Secretary. If the Local Secretary commits a crime, fails to fulfil his/her duties or seriously violates internal regulations, for the purpose of immediate reaction, the Secretary General shall be authorized to cease the competencies of the Local Secretary.
Functions of the Local Secretary
The Local Secretary shall:
10.1 Manage the activities of the executive body at the local level and be responsible for its day-to-day activities;
10.2 Participate in the sessions of the Local Conference and its Presidium and enjoy the right to a consultative vote;
10.3 Present narrative and financial reports regarding the performed activities of the Local Branch to the Presidium of the Local Conference and the Secretary General;
10.4 Draft the budget of the Local Branch together with the finance unit of the Local Branch, and upon reaching an agreement with the finance unit at HQ, shall present the draft budget to the Local Presidium, after that to the Local Conference for approval.
10.5 Establish the staff list and present it to the Secretary General for approval;
10.6 Ensure the execution of decisions made by the Local Conference and its Presidium;
10.7 Represent the National Society before the third parties at the local level, within the scope of competencies assigned to him by the Local Presidium;
10.8 Fulfil other duties specified in his/her employment contract;
10.9 Report to the Secretary General in accordance with the reporting rules of procedure and format accepted by the Central Secretariat, as well as shall report to the Local Presidium. At the same time he/she shall present the report on the activities carried out by the Local Branch to the Local Chairperson.
CHAPTER VII
Reorganization and Liquidation of the Local Branch
Article 11.
The decision about the reorganization (merging, incorporation, division, separation, restructuring) and abolishment (liquidation) of the Local Branch of the Georgia Red Cross Society shall be made by the Presidium of the General Assembly.
The abolishment (liquidation) of the Local Branch shall be made in the following cases:
- If the statutory requirements have not been met by the Local Branch or the Local Branch is not acting according to the internal regulation of the national society, as well as if the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement have been violated by the Local Branch while implementing the Red Cross activities;
- The number of members of the Local Branch is less than 7;
- In the circumstances related to the financial situation of the Georgia Red Cross Society;
- As well as in the other circumstances stipulated by the legislation.
In the case of reorganization or liquidation of the Local Branch its property shall be transferred to the Georgia Red Cross Society.
|
