CONSTITUTION OF THE MUSIK FEDERESEN BLONG VANUATU

Transcription

1 CONSTITUTION OF THE MUSIK FEDERESEN BLONG VANUATU ARTICLE 1 NAME, ADDRESS AND COMMON SEAL 1. There is hereby established in Vanuatu a body of representatives of the music industry in Vanuatu known as the Musik Federesen Blong Vanuatu (hereinafter referred to as the MFBV or the Federation) 2.The headquarters of the Federation shall be in Port Vila at such address as the Executive Committee shall from time to time determine. 3. The Federation shall have a common seal to be approved by the Executive Committee. ARTICLE 2 VISION Local artists in Vanuatu and their music is promoted, marketed and protected in the local and international markets and the music industry in Vanuatu fully benefits its creators, artists, producers and facilitators, the MFBV and the economy of Vanuatu. ARTICLE 3 MISSION STATEMENT The MFBV is established to represent the interests of the music industry in Vanuatu and to promote and safeguard Vanuatu music as a form of expression and as a profession. ARTICLE 4 FUNCTIONS & OBJECTIVES The Federation shall perform the following functions for the interest of its members and the music industry of Vanuatu: a) Encourage, promote, develop and protect the Music industry locally and internationally. b) Protect and safeguard its affiliated members interests. c) Ensure that music group and agencies observe the copyright laws in the interest of its affiliated members. d) Represent and advocate the views and interest of musicians to the Government and other institutions both locally and internationally. e) Examine the needs of Musicians and Musical groups and devise ways of effectively attending to those needs. f) Arrange or provide training opportunities in relevant areas in the music industry. g) Provide assistance and support to any community or institution, which may be affected by a disaster. h) Seek assistance locally and abroad to support the music industry in Vanuatu. i) Approve and establish set policies and strategies for Vanuatu music industry development. 1

2 j) Approve foreign music groups that wish to perform in Vanuatu. The Federation will work to achieve the following objectives: a) That all Vanuatu music groups and artists, and also all companies, organisations and professionals working in the music industry in Vanuatu are members of the MFBV. b) That the copyright laws of Vanuatu are fully observed and enforced in Vanuatu and overseas. c) A proper music and full music faculty is established in Vanuatu. d) Proper music concert auditorium to be build in the main centres of Vanuatu, fully equipped with sound and stage materials. e) More than one major music concert in Port-Vila, and at least a major concert in each province, annually. f) Receive government grants and assistance from other agencies annually. g) Vanuatu music and musical groups to participate more in international festivals or conventions. h) Organize international music events in Vanuatu. i) Provide major support to charitable organization. j) Standardized professionalism. k) Music industry to be a major employer for the youth of Vanuatu. l) Ensure tourism agencies and operators in Vanuatu observe the policies of the MFBV, and that they fully encourage Vanuatu music. m) To provide benefits for its affiliate members. n) Establish an office for the Federation to administer its affairs. 1. Membership of the Federation is open to: ARTICLE 5 - MEMBERSHIP - any musicians, musical artists, bands or groups; - any producers, sound technicians, promoters or other persons or companies involved in facilitating music performance or production; and - any supporters of music and the music industry in Vanuatu. 2. Music is considered by the Federation to be any type of music whether electrified pop or reggae, religious, string band, traditional or something else. 3. Membership shall be by application and upon receipt of an application the Executive Committee may admit such applicant for membership. 4. The Executive Committee may prescribe membership fees to be paid by members. ARTICLE 6 TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP 1. Any member of the Federation may resign by giving written notice to the Executive Committee. Members resigning from membership shall forfeit any membership fees already paid. 2

3 2. The Executive Committee may terminate the membership of a member if: i) the member has ceased to function as an artist, group or organization, or ii) the Executive Committee considers that the member has acted in a manner that is not consistent with the MFBV s objectives or brings disrepute upon the MFBV. ARTICLE 7 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 7.1. Officers of the Executive Committee (hereinafter the Committee ) 1. There shall be a Committee of the Federation which shall consist of the following officers: i) President ii) Vice President iii) Secretary iv) Vice Secretary v) Treasurer vi) Vice Treasurer, and vii) Four (4) other members. 2. All officers of the Federation shall be elected by a majority vote at an Annual General Meeting, and shall hold office for a term of two years. 3. The officers shall be residents of Vanuatu and shall function with no wages. 4. The officers must have a sound experience in the music industry in Vanuatu and a general competence relevant to their respective positions in the Executive Committee. 5. An officer who does not attend three consecutive meetings without notifying the Chairman or the Secretary giving reasons for their absence shall be deemed to have vacated their office. 6. Where an office becomes vacant for the above reason, or because an officer is terminated under the provisions of Article 6 or dies, the Committee shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy until the date of the next election. 7. The Federation may make guidelines for the conduct of election of its officers Duties and functions of the Officers 1. The President i) The President shall be the head of the Federation ii) The President shall chair all Committee Meetings, the Annual General Meetings and other General Meetings. iii) The President shall be responsible for the implementation of policy decisions of both the Committee and the MFBV, and shall receive any proposals brought before the Committee for approval. 2. Secretary 3

4 i) The secretary shall record all minutes of the Committee meetings and Annual General Meetings. ii) The Secretary shall be responsible for the correspondence and all matters relating to the administration of the Federation. 3. Treasurer i) The Treasurer shall report to the Committee on the financial position of the Federation and all financial matters when it is required. ii) The Treasurer shall prepare the financial statement of the Federation annually, including audited accounts as necessary. iii) The Treasurer shall assist on all aspects relating to financial negotiations, sale of assets, producing financial statements, and other duties as may be required by the Committee Meetings of the Executive Committee 1. A meeting of the Committee can be called by the President or by one-third of Committee members. 2. The quorum at a Committee meeting shall be one-third of its members and no business shall be transacted without a quorum. 3. The Committee shall endeavour to make all its decisions by consensus, but where there is disagreement decisions shall be made by a majority vote and where there is equality in the votes the Chairman shall have a casting vote. 4. The President with the consent of the Committee may invite any expertise from time to time to participate in Committee meetings Powers and responsibilities of the Committee: 1. The Committee shall have the authority to:- i) Represent its members in discussions with the Government, the private sector and other stakeholders on any issues concerning music. ii) Represent its members in national discussions or debates on any issues concerning music. iii) Establish sub-committees to carry out the functions and further the objectives of the Federation. iv) Recruit and dismiss employees and to set the remuneration for such Employees. v) Convene meetings on behalf of the Federation. vi) Assist to make selections for artist participation in local and international music festivals as required. vii) Enter into contracts on behalf of the Federation and its members. viii) Do any other things that further the objectives of the Federation. 4

5 2. The Committee may delegate some of its powers to the one or several of its Officers from time to time. ARTICLE 8 GENERAL MEETINGS 1. The Federation shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) at least once a year. Notice of the AGM shall be given two (2) weeks in advance by message, by radio announcement, by notice in the newspaper, and by a notice displayed on public notice boards at the Alliance Francaise, Wan Smolbag and other places. 2. A General Meeting can be called at any time by the President or by one-third of Committee members or by a minimum of 25 ordinary members. The notice for a General Meetings shall be the same as for an AGM. 3. The Federation or the Committee may invite to any of their meetings persons who are not members, but such persons may not vote at the meetings. 4. The quorum at the AGM and at the General Meeting shall be 25 ordinary members and no business shall be dealt with at the meeting unless there is a quorum. 5. All decisions at the Annual General Meeting shall be taken by majority vote of members present. The Chairman shall decide whether a vote shall be by a show of hands or by secret ballot. Members unable to be present at the meeting can nominate a proxy. A proxy form can be requested from the Committee and must be presented by the proxy at the meeting. 6. At the Annual General Meeting the President shall present an annual report while the Treasurer shall present the annual financial report and accounts. ARTICLE 9 - FINANCES 1. There shall be an account of the Federation, which shall be known as The Music Federation Blong Vanuatu account with a bank in Vanuatu to be appointed by the Committee. 2. All monies received by or on behalf of the Federation shall paid into its account. All payments, except petty cash payments, shall be made payable by cheque and signed by such officers or employees as the Federation shall nominate. 3. The Treasurer shall prepare the accounts of the Federation each year for presentation at the AGM. 4. When there are sufficient funds, the Federation s accounts shall be audited by an auditor appointed by the Committee and the audited accounts shall be presented to the membership. 5. The financial year of the Federation shall end on the 31 st day of December each year. ARTICLE 10 - ASSETS The Federation shall have power to own property if this is the best interest of the Federation. 5

6 ARTICLE 11 DISSOLUTION 1. The Federation may be dissolved in the event that a resolution for dissolution of the Federation is supported by a two-third majority vote of members present at an Annual General Meeting. 2. Upon the dissolution of the Federation any assets standing to the credit of the Federation after satisfaction of all its liabilities shall be surrendered to charitable associations as decided at the time of dissolution. ARTICLE 12 - INDEMNITY No action shall be taken against any officer or employee of the Federation in respect of any act done by him in good faith in the execution or intended execution of a duty or power under this constitution. ARTICLE 13 - AMENDMENTS Amendments to this constitution may only be approved by a two-third majority vote at an Annual General Meeting of the Federation, where notice of the proposed amendment(s) has been given to members at the same time as the notice of the AGM. 6