DRAFT CONSTITUTION
ABIBIGROMAMA DANCE ENSEMBLE

INTRODUCTION (PREAMBLE)

????..IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN

A HIGH SENSE OF DISCIPLINE, AND

TO ENHANCE A HIGH STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE.

THE LEADERSHIP OF THE

ABIBIGROMAMA DANCE ENSEMBLE

DO HEREBY FORMULATE THIS

CONSTITUTION TO DEFINE AND REGULATE

THE GROUP?S MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVITIES?????..

ARTICLE 1 - NAME
The name governed by this Constitution shall be known and officially called ?ABIBIGROMAMA DANCE ENSEMBLE? (hereinafter call ?ABIBIGROMAMA?)

ARTICLE 2 - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The major aims and objectives are as follows:

1. To engage in folk music performance including cultural drumming and dancing, acrobat, fire eating, etc.; and such performances aimed at spreading the popularity of folk music in Accra, the entire Ghana and to the international music arena.

2. To engage in income generating activities beside music performance, to enhance the financial status of the group, and that of the members.

3. To improve the welfare of the members and forester cordial relationship between members and the society as a whole.

4. To train the youth in the acquisition of traditional drumming and dancing skills to the international standard.

ARTICLE 3 - MEMBERSHIP
Membership to the group shall be by the following criteria.

i. That the person has agreed to give himself/herself to these regulations of the group.

ii. That the person?s membership has been approved by the leadership after his/her probation period.

iii. That he/she agreed to meet his/her financial obligations to the group as and when they arise.

ARTICLE 4 - ACTIVITIES
The activities of the Abibigromama Dance Ensemble are as follows;

i. Composing, arranging and playing folk music in all convenient languages.

ii. Training, practicing and rehearsing drumming and dancing lessons for both skill and performance.

iii. Manufacturing and repair of cultural drums of all kind to generate income to finance the group activities.

iv. Performing on wedding occasions, outdooring, funerals, etc. upon invitation for a fee chargeable by the leadership of the group; and

v. Any other activities, which fall in line with the group?s aspirations or objectives.

ARTICLE 5 - EXECUTIVES/PATRONS/MANAGERS
ITEM I - EXECUTIVES
The Executives of the group shall jointly;

i. Supervise all the day-to-day activities and fix training or rehearsal times

ii. Plan and Control movement of the group?s equipment with approval from the equipment supervisory patron or manager.

iii. Act as custodians of the group?s assets (except cash which is lodged in bank)

iv. Control all group meetings and training sessions.

The Executives shall include:

i. The group chairman

ii. Secretary

iii. Treasurer

iv. Others

ITEM II - PATRONS

i. The group shall have at least two (2) Patrons

ii. Patrons shall be people of integrity and respect in the society in order to enhance the image of the group.

iii. They should be people with a high musical interest and/or knowledge who are capable of giving the group influential support when the need arises.

iv. The Patrons shall serve as the Consultants or Advisors for the group in times of crisis or difficult situations.

ITEM III - MANAGERS

i. The group shall at least one- (1) manager.

ii. Manager shall be person who wish to have a business (or any contractual) relationship with the group. Such business relationship shall last as long as both parties allow.

iii. Manager shall serve as investor to any department of the group?s activities (costume, musical equipment, musical productions, international relation etc), for benefits in cash or otherwise.

ARTICLE 6 - FINANCE
ITEM I - SOURCE OF FUNDING

The Abibigromama Dance Ensemble shall be funded by the following sources:

i. Fees charge for performances
ii. Grants or donations from members, patrons, managers and concerned groups or bodies.
iii. Revenues from contractual agreements with the group?s managers.

ITEM II - BANK ACCOUNTS

i. The group shall keep a bank account into which all monies collected on behalf of the group shall be paid.
ii. All cheques drawn on the group?s account shall be signed by the Chairman or any of the Executive members.
iii. No cheque shall be written or drawn on the group?s account, without the prior approval of the responsible Patron.

ITEM III - GENERAL ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

i. The Treasurer is mandated to keep all records and books as necessary to give a true reflection of the group?s financial state of affairs.
ii. Periodic income and expenditure statements shall be prepared and kept on the group?s file and copied to patrons and/or managers.
iii. The Secretary or Organiser must keep updated records on attendance, absenteeism and all activities of the group.

ARTICLE 7 - WELFARE

A member of the group who has met all his/her financial obligations shall be entitled to the following welfare benefits;

i. Free access to the group?s musical equipment and performance by members in times of bereavement (or merry making, if he/her so wishes). The bereaved member here must provide transportation for equipment and members, as well as refreshment.
ii. Monetary contributions from members plus ¢100,000.00 from the group?s funds to support any bereaved brother or sister.
iii. Free access to the group?s equipment or premises for any individual training as approved by the leadership, provided the time for training is convenient.
iv. Access to all records of the group both financial and otherwise, at a very convenient time for the treasurer or organiser.
v. Any other additional incentive agreed upon for a particular member due to his/her special contributions, commitment and dedication, or predicament.

Nevertheless the leadership needs to be informed in writing by any member who wishes to benefit from any of the afore-mentioned benefits.

ARTICLE 8 - DISCIPLINE
The following shall regulate disciplinary measures against the various acts of indiscipline associated with such groups.

i. Nobody shall take in alcoholic beverage prior to rehearsals, training or performance, unless the beverage is for a necessary medication. A victim shall attract disqualification from performance and/or a fine agreed by the leadership.

ii. No member shall go and perform elsewhere or with another group without the consent of the leadership. A breach of this rule attracts a suspension for a period agreed upon by the leadership.

iii. Violent confrontations among members are not allowed; and nobody shall misbehave towards a leader or the leadership.

iv. Nobody shall go along with his/her family when the group is going to perform.

v. Members must be decently dressed and well behaved during training sessions and performance as well.

vi. Members? visitors shall not be entertained at rehearsal or training grounds; and loitering around during training or performance shall not go unpunished.

vii. All proceeds from performance must be lodged in the groups? account, and the appropriate portion shared after twenty-four (24) hours.

viii. Members must avoid visiting patrons/managers and reporting on the groups? issues (Refer Article 5(v)).

ix. Members (and leaders alike) are expected to put in their maximum effort in any position or role assigned them during performances.

x. Absenteeism without permission will attract a warning for the first time. Subsequent ones will attract stiffer punishment like suspension or outright dismissal.

xi. Finally, all grievances must be promptly reported to the leadership, and tackled not later than two (2) training weeks. Patrons and/or managers must be consulted to solve difficult grievances or situations among members especially in cases where the two training weeks have expired without any fruitful solution.

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