Grupong Sagip By-laws
It's not a commitment,,, it's passion.

ARTICLE I :    NAME AND LOCATION

Section 1.         This organization shall be known as Grupong Sagip, Inc. and its office or base is located at

                        Marasigan Residence, Balabag, (Mt. Apo) Kidapawan City 9400 Cotabato, PHILIPPINES.

ARTICLE II :  STATEMENT OF MISSION, PRINCIPLES, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1.         Grupong Sagip is a non-profit, non-stock organization that advocates and educates people about the

                        integrity of  God’s creation with regard to respect of indigenous life & culture, biodiversity,

                        interdependence, and interrelationship of all creatures.

Section 2.         This organization believes that all people in the world have the responsibility in  making the world healthy

                        and sustainable, and it strives toward inclusiveness, equality, and unity by working out the integrity of all

God’s creatures, both human and nonhuman beings.

Section 3.         This organization seeks and works the participation of children, youth and adults and harness their gifts and talents for ecological education through music, theater plays, personal interaction and participation in ecological activities to help redeem the groaning planet from ecological destruction.

Section 4.         This organization enjoys autonomy and freedom from any control of institutional body. However, it shall cooperate with other organizations that have similar advocacies and endeavors toward a healthy environment.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.         All persons of ages twelve (12) and above, regardless of gender, race, language, religion or creed, physical condition, economic condition, or educational attainment, who have the commitment in bringing about the integrity of God’s creation shall be eligible and qualified to become members of Grupong Sagip.

Section 2.         This organization shall have two (2) categories of membership and shall have the following distinctions:

a.       Associate Member – A person who decides to become a member shall be designated as an associate

member. He or she shall be a voting member after six (6) months of association, but shall hold no office or position. He or she shall maintain good standing and shall be formally accepted as a full-pledged member after one (1) year of association and familiarity with Grupong Sagip.

b.      Full-pledged Member – A person who has undergone a one year association in good standing shall be

accepted as a full-pledge member. He or she shall be eligible for any office or position and shall enjoy other opportunities of service for the good of the environment. A full membership fee of FIFTY (P50.00) PESOS shall be paid.

Section 3.         Termination, Suspension and Reinstatement

                        There is no termination of membership unless a member chooses otherwise at his or her own request.

                        However, any member who shall persistently absent himself or herself from Grupong Sagip for two (2)

                        consecutive years without communication and shall refuse to contribute the annual pledge for the same

period shall be suspended from the active roll of members. He or she shall be placed on the inactive members’ list. The corresponding secretary shall notify him/her by letter concerning his or her status. He or she may be reinstated at his or her own request and by the approval of the Assembly.

ARTICLE IV: JURISDICTION

Section 1.         The scope of mission and work of Grupong Sagip or its area of jurisdiction shall be technically global

                        while we act locally.

ARTICLE V :  THE ASSEMBLY

Section 1.         The highest deciding body of the organization is the Assembly which shall be held annually on the last

Saturday of April at a voted place which shall  also be the organization’s Annual Reunion.

Section 2.         The majority of the voting members present constitutes a quorum.

Section 3.         The Assembly shall have the following powers and duties:

a.       Elect the officers of the organization to serve for four (4) consecutive years by a majority or plurality vote through secret ballot.

b.      Approve the annual progress report of the Council and the annual proposed budget.

c.       Accept, suspend and reinstate members

d.      Determine and provide for raising and distributing funds necessary to carry on the mission of the organization.

ARTICLE VI: THE COUNCIL

Section 1.         The governing body of the organization shall be the Council whose members are the officers of the Assembly: the President, the Vice President, the Recording Secretary, the Corresponding Secretary, the Treasurer, Project Coordinators and Committee chairpersons. The pioneers are ex-officio members.

Section 2.         The Council shall meet twice (2X) a year on every second Saturday of January and September, and shall hold a special meeting if need arises.

Section 3.         The majority of the voting members present constitutes a quorum.

Section 4.         The Council shall have the following duties:

a.       Appoint all project coordinators, chairpersons and members of committees.

b.      Plan, implement, and evaluate the total mission, program, and activities of the organization.

c.       Submit an annual progress report of the organization to the Assembly.

d.      Prepare the annual proposed budget and recommend the same to the Assembly for approval.

Section 5.         Duties of Officers

                        The President shall:

                        a.    Preside over the Assembly and the Council.

                        b.    Sign all transactions and legal papers of the organization.

                        c.    Together with the Recording Secretary, prepares the agenda of every business meeting.

                        The Vice President shall:

a.       Co-preside with the President over the Assembly and the Council.

b.      He or she shall become the President upon the resignation or incapacitation of the President and shall serve the unexpired term.

c.       Perform other duties as directed by the Assembly or the Council.

The Recording Secretary shall:

a.       Record and keep the minutes of all business meetings and shall furnish copies of the same to all officers and members.

b.      Together with the President, prepares the agenda of every business meeting.

c.       Perform other duties as directed by the President or the Council.

The Corresponding Secretary shall:

a.       Notify all members about any activity at least three (3) weeks ahead.

b.      Serve as the editor of Grupong Sagip Newsletter.

c.       Perform other duties as directed by the President or the Council.

The Treasurer shall:

a.       Have custody of all funds.

b.      Disburse funds as directed by the Assembly or the Council.

c.       Receive and deposit in a bank all funds and maintain the necessary monthly petty cash as requested or directed by the Council.

d.      Present duly audited annual financial report to the Assembly.

A Project Coordinator shall:

a.       Implement the program of work of the particular project.

b.      Submit a written progress report to every regular Council Meeting.

c.       Recommend to the Council a working budget for approval.

A Committee Chairperson shall:

a.       Preside over Committee meetings.

b.      Implement the program of the particular work area.

c.       Submit a written report to every regular Council meeting.

d.      Recommend to the Council a working budget for approval.

Section 6.         Vacancies:

                        In the event that one or more vacancies from the elected officers arise, the Council shall temporarily fill up

                        the position/s until the Assembly is convened. The Assembly in session will formally elect the position/s

                        needed that shall serve the unexpired term.

ARTICLE VII:    THE WORKING COMMITTEES

Section 1.         The Assembly shall determine the necessary working committees. Such Committees shall be directly

                        responsible to the Council, and thus have the duty to render updated reports to the Council during regular

                        and special meetings.

Section 2.         All actions passed by any Committee shall be subject for review and approval by the Council.

Section 3.         The following committees shall be organized with their respective chairperson, secretary, and members

                        being appointed by the Council:

a. Cultural Presentation Committee

b. Research and Publication Committee

c. Project Monitoring Committee

d. Ecumenical Relations Committee

ARTICLE VIII: PROPERTY AND BUSINESS

Section 1.         The property and business of the organization shall be managed by the Council which for this purpose shall

                        act as the Board of Trustees. It may exercise all such powers and do all lawful acts as directed and

                        by the Assembly and this By-laws.

Section 2.         Funds shall be deposited in a bank, and disbursements thereof duly recorded on proper vouchers shall be

                        certified by the President and Treasurer who will be the bank signatories thereon.

ARTICLE IX :  PROVISION FOR AMENDMENT

Section 1.         Any amendment to the By-Laws shall be proposed by at least one (1) full-pledged member and shall be

                        consequently approved by at least two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Assembly.

Section 2.         The effectivity of the amendment shall take effect immediately upon approval.

ARTICLE X :   EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE

Section 1.         This By-Laws shall take effect immediately upon ratification hereof, with the Assembly's two-thirds (2/3)

                        majority vote.

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VOTED UPON AND APPROVED in the act of ratification by the Assembly this 28th day of  April 2007 at Kabacan Central School, Kabacan, North Cotabato.

ANNALYN PERALTA

 Recording Secretary

Attested:

            MARIE FE BAGNI-ESTILLOSO

  President