The organization shall be The Catholic Graduates Association of Malawi � Maula Chapter (CGAM)
Patron Saints: Saint Augustine, Saint Monica
Patron: Rt. Reverend Felix E. Mkhori, Bishop of the Diocese of Lilongwe
Purpose of the Organization
The Catholic Graduates Association of Malawi shall perform, amongst other functions and objectives the following:
(1) To enhance the Catholic faith, and understanding of Roman Catholic social teaching among its graduate members.
(2) To deepen the Christian life, improve that of their families, communities, and church.
(3) To encourage non-active and lapsed Roman Catholic Christians to return to active faith.
(4) To foster a continuing spirit of family, friendship, tradition and loyalty to the Roman Catholic faith while promoting the rightful causes for the said church.
(5) To work with the approval and direction of various diocese of Malawi in conjunction with their various development committees to provide support, financial assistance and a source of input to beneficial activities to the catholic faith as an interested group.
(6) To provide support, where certified expertise is evident in skills, support to the church and its institutions in various activities such as rendering direct services of teaching in seminaries and convents, working in hospitals, participating in commercial enterprises under the dioceses and to be board members of commercial entities owned by the Catholic church
(7) To play and demonstrate a highly visible, active and constructive role in the society which is consistent with the teaching of the Church, and underlied by a deep sense of duty and humility.
(8) To foster positive relationships between other groups and members of the Catholic Graduates Association.
(9) To Support the formation and management of the Catholic University.
(10) To facilitate the translation and publication of Roman Catholic liturgy into languages spoken in the country.
(11) To explore and establish income streams for safeguarding the welfare of the clergy both in service and after retirement.
(10) Supporting the development of education in the country aiming at Primary, Secondary, and University education.
Membership
Membership of the Catholic Graduates Association shall be open to all Roman Catholic Christians.
All members of the Catholic Graduates Association of Malawi shall be considered full and voting members. Membership shall be constituted from All individuals, of either gender, who have at least one university degree from within and outside the country. In addition, the Association also accepts all individuals who graduated from the University of Malawi with a diploma.
Governance and Membership
Management of this organization shall be exercised by an executive committee, assisted by sub-regional committees, together with the various committees set up by the CGA executive tasked with various responsibilities. Overall, the association shall function within the mission and policies of the catholic faith.
Office bearers
The CGA shall have a chairperson, first vice chairperson, second vice chairperson, secretary, Treasurer and vice, organizing secretary, and a spokesperson
Duties of office bearers
A. The Chairman:
1. Shall preside over all membership meetings
2. Shall appoint Chairpersons of special and standing committees
3. Shall be an ex officio member of all committees
4. Shall serve as the official representative for the CGA to all organizations affiliated to the catholic faith
B. Vice chairperson:
1. Shall work with and assist the chairperson in organizing and overseeing the association officers and operations
2. Shall assume the full responsibilities of the chairperson in his/her absence or incapacity.
3. Shall assume the office of the chairperson after his/her one year (1) year term as President elect has ended.
4. The First Vice Chairperson shall immediately take over as Chairperson, and not subject to vote, under the following circumstances:
- death of the incumbent
- suspension, expulsion or where a �vote of no confidence� has been cast
- prolonged sickness of the incumbent.
5. The Vice Chairman shall assist in the establishment of and maintenance of an outreach program with all Catholic Graduates wherever they may be.
D. Secretary:
Shall transcribe minutes of the meetings of the Catholic Graduates Associates meetings, and carry on the general correspondence of the association.
E. Vice Secretary
Shall perform the functions of the Secretary in the absence of the Secretary and assist in any functions as assigned by the Secretary.
F. The Treasurer:
1. Shall receive all the funds and deposit all monies of the CGA into the designated CGA account and keep an accurate record of all money received and disbursed. He will provide reports to the Chairman to make sure the accounts balance.
2. Shall submit a written report to the Chairman every meeting
3. In the event the Treasurer can not attend a meeting, a written report should be submitted to the Chairman prior to any general membership meeting for verbal reporting
G. Vice Treasurer
Shall perform the functions of Treasurer in the absence of the Treasurer. He shall also assist in ensuring that the books of the association are up to date at all the time.
Term of Office
All office bearers shall be in office for a period of two years subject to one re-election only thereafter.
Nominations for Office bearers will be made at a meeting just before the elections. Additional nominations will be made at the election meeting and voting will take place at that time. New officers will assume their duties immediately after the election meeting.
All officers may be re-elected to the same office.
The shall be an Executive Council consisting of elected offices of the CGA and chairpersons from each deanery.
Offices of the Chairperson and Treasurer shall be filled at all times.
The Executive Council shall have the following duties and authority to act:
(a) The exclusive power to initiate general Association activities.
(b) To regulate the finances of the Association in cooperation with the various diocese in Malawi.
(c) To arrange for the programs presented on any public occasion for or by
the Association
(d) To appoint all committees at its discretion to work in cooperation with the Development committee of the Association as they fit into the purpose of the organization.
(e) To conduct the election of officers and appoint committee chairs.
(f) To attend to all business of the Association not otherwise provided for in
the Constitution or these bylaws.
Meetings
The Executive Council members must attend a majority of the scheduled meetings � two thirds and/or four of six meetings. There will be approximately four meetings per year or as needed/scheduled by the Chairman.
Rules of Order
Quorum
A Quorum shall be formed when more than half of members are present at any one meeting.
Amendment
The constitution, or any part thereof, may be repealed, altered, revised or otherwise amended at any time by a two thirds vote of the members present provided that a copy of the proposed repeal, alteration, revision, or amendment has been filed with the Secretary of the Association and with every member of the Executive Committee at the time that the proposed amendment is considered. Notice of the said proposed repeal, alterations, revisions or amendment may be waived by a two-thirds vote to the members present at any Executive Committee meeting.
Bank Account and Signatories to the CGA Bank Account.
The CGA shall maintain a savings account at any bank of its choice as decided by the eight members and as ratified by the Executive Council. Such an account shall have three signatories. Any of two of such signatories can sign on any withdrawal of funds from the account. This, however does not permit the Treasurer and his vice to do so.
Motto
To Serve With Humility, Passion And Might
