STATUTE OF THE CAMBODIAN CHILDREN S ADVOCACY FOUNDATION 2006
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Article 1: Introduction Ever since the Paris Peace accords were signed in 1991 and ex-khmer Rough soldiers were integrated into the government, many people have been displaced from one area to another looking for jobs, settling into new villages and establishing farms where land is available for agriculture and small businesses. Although considerable progress has been made over the past ten years, particularly in the rapid rate of economic growth and preserving macroeconomic stability, the available estimates suggest that progress in poverty reduction has not been as rapid as hoped. With regards to poverty, 35.9 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line and socio-economic indicators such as literacy, infant mortality rate and others are among the worst in the region 1. Article 2: Background In late 2005, co-founders formed a local NGO, named the Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation. The Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation is a local non-governmental organization, with no political or religious affiliations. In order to participate in the progress of poverty reduction, the Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation (CCAF) has come up with several program ideas. There will be a Day Care Center (Kindergarten) and School Integration Program, along with other projects for community development including referrals for vocational training and employment, home garden and water sanitation projects, and direct assistance grants. 1 Source JICA. 2
CHAPTER II NAME LOGO, ADDRESS AND TARGET ARAES Article 3: Article 4: Name This local non-governmental organization has its name in Khmer as GgÁkar mulnifirtrtg;kumar km<úca and in English Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation and its abbreviation is CCAF. Logo Logo of CCAF is a rectangle shape with a height of 4cm and a width of 9 cm, and its background color is white. Inside this shape there is a round shape with blue color inside (color number 2026F7 identified by computer) and a line with black color surrounding it. On the right next to the round shape and on the top, it has the Cambodian name of the organization with font Limon S1, normal, size 48pt and blue color. Under the Cambodian name it has the English name with font Arial black, regular, size 30.87ptd blue and white color. There is a line with two colors (blue and white) between the Cambodian and English names. Height 4cm Width 9 cm Article 5: Address of Head Office The Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation has its Head Office in Phnom Penh as indicated by the address below: House: 225, Street: 2001, Village: Paprak south, Sangakat/Commune: Kakab Khan/District: Dongkor, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Article 6: Target Area The Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation operates in provinces in Cambodia where most vulnerable families are living. 3
CHAPTER III VISION MISSION STRATEGY AND PROGRAMS Article 7: Vision Vulnerable and disabled children, with adequate education opportunities, have the capability to become economically self-sufficient and contribute to society in a sustainable way. Article 8: Mission The mission of Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation is to support the vulnerable children of single mothers in the areas of education, intervention and prevention of child labor/trafficking and oppression, nutrition, health and skills that will enable them to generate an income. Article 9: Strategies 9.1 First Phase: The Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation will conduct a feasibility study for the programs in provinces. The feasibility study is to cover target group, target area and collaborating agencies. 9.2 Second Phase: Registration with the Ministry of Interior and Council for Development of Cambodia. 9.3 Third Phase: The Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation will come up with a strategic plan, develop a proposal, and devise an annual work plan. 9.4 Fourth Phase: This phase will be focused on program planning, organization, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. 9.5 Fifth Phase: Sustainability is a critical concern of the Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation, and CCAF will work hard to encourage the support of external donors, as well as the support of the government and community. CCAF will set the long-term strategy to ensure that the program is maintained. 9.6 Sixth Phase: CCAF has agreed that in the future, the programs will be handled by the community. CCAF will develop a plan to eventually turn the programs over to village committees in order to continue the operation of the programs. 4
Article 10: Programs The Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation (CCAF) has come up with a Day Care Center (Kindergarten) and School Integration Program, along with other projects for community development including referrals for vocational training and employment, home garden and water sanitation projects, and direct assistance grants. 10.1 Day Care Center and School Integration Program The purpose of the establishment of the Day Care Center (Kindergarten) and School Integration Program of the Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation is to help vulnerable children and single mothers who have many children by: 1) providing them with day care and pre-school classes for children aged three to six years old; 2) preventing child trafficking and oppression; 3) building up knowledge prior to attending primary school; and 4) providing supplementary nutrition and pre-school education with full day care. The program aims to reduce the workload of mothers and/or care givers, enabling them to be involved in income-generating activities. Another vital aspect of the organization will be to provide the same support as described above to children with disabilities. Many rural Cambodian children are the unfortunate victims of landmine explosions, resulting in the loss of limbs. This can be traumatic in more ways than one, because these children may be one day deemed unsuitable for jobs due to their disability, thereby threatening their socioeconomic status. We hope to accommodate these children, as well as children with other disabilities. We want to instill in them a sense of pride in their accomplishments and provide them with the necessary skills to perform an income-generating job later in life. 10.2 Vocational Training and Employment Project CCAF has identified that many vulnerable mothers and fathers who live in rural areas have lack of skills, so they can t open any businesses. They leave home to work for other private companies and their children do not go to school because they have to watch properties at home. CCAF believes that mothers and fathers with a specific skill will be able to run a small business or be employed by private companies, so children will be able to attend school regularly. Vocational Training includes radio and TV repairs, sewing, weaving and operating barber shops which are available in provincial towns. 10.3 Home Gardening and Water Sanitation Project Agricultural training will include the development of vegetable seeds, natural fertilizer, wells and rain-water catchment tanks for vulnerable families who have land surrounding their homes. This will enable them to plant many kinds of vegetables and fruit trees. Yields will enable beneficiaries to feed their children and sell to markets in order to sustain an income, as well as maintaining a home garden project. 5
10.4 Direct Assistance Grants Project Direct assistance grants provide basic support for vulnerable families who are skilled but lack the capital to start up a business in the community. With support from donors, CCAF will supply vulnerable families with items such as fishing nets, boats and bicycles to enable them to engage in income-generating activities. These activities might include small shop repairs, fishing or transporting goods and passengers by horse cart. A minimum of US$150 is needed per family. The project will enable children to attend school and have a better education. 6
CHAPTER IV ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE RESPONSIBILITIES AND POLICY Article 11: Board of Governors Board of Governors is formed by a group of people who have good will and support the Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation to enable accomplish its vision, mission and objectives. The role of Board of Governors is honor and voluntary which all members will not receive any payments from CCAF. Article 12: Membership of the Board of Governors The Board shall be composed of seven members who are not the politicians, including the following officers: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer and four members-at-large. The Director will serve as an ex-officio, non-voting members. Article 13: Criteria s for the selection of members of the Board of Governors To be a member of the Board of Governors of CCAF, candidate must meet the following criteria s: good reputation has experiences in management and leadership skill show commitment to support CCAF non-politician no relative of members of the Board of Governors no a manager who is working in the same program of the CCAF. Article 14: Mandate On a 2-yearly basis each member will be asked to confirm their commitment for further 2-year period. Article 15: Casual Vacancy Incase of casual vacancy of a member occurred during the period stated in Article 12, the existing members and or Director of CCAF shall propose the candidate who have qualification and experiences in management and leadership to the Board of Governors for approval by not less than two- thirds of the Members of the Board of Governors. Article 16: Meeting of the Board of Governors 16.1 The Board of Governors shall hold at least two ordinary meetings each year on giving the Members not less than 14 days prior notice. A special meeting may be 7
called at any time by the Chair or by any two members upon not less than seven days prior notice to the other Members. 16.2 In addition to ordinary or special meetings, the Board of Governors shall organise a General Meeting every two years for strategic review and planning. 16.3 The Board of Governors shall elect a Chair (and vice-chair) for a period of two years. 16.4 There shall be a quorum of five members. 16.5 Every matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the Members present but in the case of equality of votes the Chair shall have a second or casting vote. Article 17: Duties of Board Officers 17.1 The Chairperson shall be the principal officer of the Board and preside over all Board meetings. Between meetings, the Chairperson shall represent the Board and carry out any necessary consultations with Board members. The Chairperson shall be an ex-officio member of any committee formed and shall receive, consider, and prepare recommendations for the full Board to make decisions. 17.2 Between meetings of the Board the Chairperson or in his or her absence the Vice-chairperson has the authority to approve any immediate or urgent action requested by the Director or other senior managers. Such decisions should be reported to the next Board meeting and the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson held accountable by the Board for any decisions taken. 17.3 The Vice-Chairperson shall perform all the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson in his/her absence and any other duties as the Board shall assign. 17.4 The Treasurer shall advise the Board in their responsibilities to ensure proper financial oversight of the organisation. The duties shall include making recommendations to the Board on financial matters, including improved record keeping, financial controls and budget preparations. Article 18: Responsibilities of the Management Team The Management Team s primary responsibility is to ensure that the program follows the concepts of good governance which are: Policies, Participation, Transparency and Accountability. The Management Team is also responsible for ensuring that the Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation becomes sustainable. The main responsibilities of the Management team include: Planning, Organizing, Implementing, Monitoring, Reporting of CCAF activities. Organized monthly staff meeting Supervision of the projects Coordination and networking with Government, INGO s, NGO s, donors and other partners 8
Submission and follow up of proposals and fundraising activities Submission of reports to donors Conflict resolution Ensure financial transparency to donors, government, and partners. Review CCAF existing policies and agreements and M.O.Us Article 19: Policy The Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation commits to respect the law of Cambodia. However, CCAF has its own policy to help the transparency and to strengthen the administration of CCAF. 9
CHAPTER V MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS AND ASSETS Article 20: Financial Resources The Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation acknowledges that it will not be possible to operate the programs without any financial contribution from donors, government and support from beneficiaries. The CCAF has identified main resources as following: national and internal donor agencies individual donors the Royal Government of Cambodia target groups others Article 21: Article 22: Article 23: All funds and assets shall be the organisation's property. The financial year of the organisation shall be from the 1st day of January to the 31st day of December of the calendar year. Bank Account The Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation has its Bank Account. Article 24: Signatories Director is the authorized persons for signing the check. Article 25: Cash Withdrawal and closing account Director is the authorized persons for signing the check and closing account. Article 26: Financial Contribution All donations in cash will be transferred to the bank account of CCAF as soon as possible and report will be available upon requested and approved by Director. Article 27: Letter of Acknowledgement/Invoice/Receipt CCAF will issue letter of acknowledgement to donor with the letter head, amount and signature of the Director or authorized person. All payments will be required to have receipts. The original invoice and or receipt will be filed at Admin. & Finance Office. 10
Article 28: Financial Procedure/Guideline In order to strengthen the financial management with transparency, CCAF has Financial Procedure/Guideline. Article 29: Use of Donation No one of the CCAF staff are allowed to spend money without approval from Director and money will be spent according to the plan. Article 30: Auditing Auditing will be done by the end of fiscal year by an independent auditing firm as recommended by donor. However, auditing can be made at any time as required by donor. Article 31: Auditing and Financial Reports All reports including auditing and financial reports will be submitted to donors, the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Management Team whenever requested. Article 32: Annual Report An annual report of the organisation's activities shall be developed each year and submitted to the relevant government authorities, major donors and others as requested by the Board. It shall include a summary of activities, a financial summary of income and expenditures and a list of major donors as required by Cambodian law. 11
CHAPTER VI MAINTENANCE OF ORGANISATION RECORDS Article 33: Article 34: Organisational records such as founding documents, Board meeting minutes, personnel files, program proposals, reports and all financial records shall be kept in the central office of the organisation for a period of at least seven years from the date the organisation was founded. Unauthorized person will not allow to view and duplicate all documents. 12
CHAPTER VII PROGRAM ENDING OR TERMINATION Article 35: Article 36: The Cambodian Children s Advocacy Foundation can terminate its program in case of bankruptcy or lack of financial support from donors. In case of closing this NGO, CCAF will be handed over to the specialized institutions of ministry of the Royal Government of Cambodia, which directly work collaboration with CCAF, or to an appropriate local/international NGO all any of its projects according to policy of donors. Only Management Team who will be made decision for termination the programs. 13
CHAPTER VIII AMENDMENT OF STATUTE Article 37: Statements in all chapters of this statute may be amended, altered or modified and adjustment according to the request from the Director. Approval of the amendment can be done through the meeting and vote of the management team. Article 38: The statutes of the organization are valid when the duly signed statutes have been recorded as officially registered with the appropriate Royal Cambodian Government Authority. 14