Constitution
CONSTITUTION OF THE GLOBAL ORGANIZATION OF PEOPLE OF INDIAN ORIGIN (GOPIO)
1. NAME AND PURPOSE: The Global Organization of People of Indian origin (abbreviated as GOPIO) is a nonpartisan, non-sectarian global organization engaged in prompting wellbeing of non resident Indians and people of Indian origin enhancing cooperation and communication between groups of Indians living in different countries and in furthering their cooperation with India.
2. OBJECTIVES: Within the above overall purpose the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) will have the following specific objectives:
(a) To promote legitimate interests of the Indian community as a whole and of specific groups resident in particular countries.
(b) To help the Indian communities in different countries to promote legitimate secular and developmental interests of the countries in which they are resident.
(c) To promote the common cultural heritage of India abroad.
(d) To mobilize professional, financial. and intellectual resources of the community of Indians abroad for their mutual advancement and for the development of their country of origin.
(e) To organize interaction between communities of Indians abroad on a global level to deliberate and decide on common issues and problems facing them, including education and technology.
(f) To provide a forum at periodical intervals to discuss, debate and decide on common problems and issues facing groups of Indians abroad and initiate measures to redress their grievances.
(g) To disseminate regularly information on global, regional and national developments affecting Indian community abroad as a whole or substantial parts thereof.
(h) To further the interaction between Indian people and other communities at global level in promoting world peace, progress and ecological harmony.
(i) To develop channels of communication between groups of Indians resident in different countries and between them and India.
(j) To raise funds through contributions and other means on regular basis and at special occasions for promoting social and cultural activities at a global level as well for the relief and rehabilitation of groups of Indians affected by natural and other calamities.
(k) To constitute Think Tanks and Task Forces of Indians abroad on particular issues of interest to the Global organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) or to India.
3. DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES PERMEATING GOPIO: The directive principles which should permeate all structures and work of the GOPIO are:
(a) GOPIO should address itself to common problems and issues and not to individual complaints.
(b) No one country should dominate the decision-making in GOPIO and organizations of people of Indian origin in all countries should be provided access to bring common problems and issues before the GOPIO.
(c) Philosophy of participation and democratic decision-making should pervade GOPIO.
(d) There is a need for flexibility and an experimental approach in view of different status of development of organizations of Indians in various countries.
(e) GOPIO organizational structure should encourage widest participation while ensuring responsible decision-making by as representative institutions as possible.
(f) The principles of GOPIO shall be applied uniformly and universally.
(g) Books and financial records of GOPIO shall be made available to all members of GOPIO, upon request who will be required to bear photocopying and postal expenses.
(h) GOPIO should promote the creation of GOPIO chapters and national organization in each country in which people of Indian origin are residing. The membership of GOPIO national organization should be open to GOPIO chapters and qualifying and organizations of people of Indian origin. Every national organization with 5 or more chapters and member organizations will be officially recognized by the Executive committee as a national organization. Details about GOPIO national organization are given in Appendix No. I.
4. ACTIVITIES OF THE GOPIO: In realization of objectives of the GOPIO, GOPIO will engage in the following types of activities:
a. Conducting campaigns in newspapers and other media to focus attention on specific problems affecting community of Indians abroad.
b. Act as a lobby, pressure group in support of cause of people of Indian origin.
c. Undertake regular and periodical publication activity.
d. Raise funds for specific activities of the GOPIO.
e. Undertake studies or commission studies on specific problems and issues affecting Indians abroad.
f. Act as a liaison between groups of Indians in specific countries and national governments, Government of India and international organizations in realization of the objectives of the GOPIO.
5. GOPIO will have the following three tier structure:
(a) Global Convention
(b) Executive Council
(c) Executive Committee
To assist GOPIO in specific activities, there will also be a Human Rights Commission, a Business Council, a Cultural Council and an International Advisory Council, a Credentials Committee and a Secretariat headed by a Secretary-General.
5.A. GLOBAL CONVENTION: GOPIO will organize once in three years a Global Convention of People of Indian Origin, at a place and time agreed upon by the majority of the members of the Executive Council, where major issues of concern to People of Indian origin will be discussed.
The Global Convention will provide a platform for exchange of ideas and experiences for People of Indian Origin from different parts of the world. It may adopt resolutions expressing support or concern of People of Indian origin on issues which interest them. It will make recommendations to the Executive Council of GOPIO on issues which require further study, action or GOPIO commitment.
It will be GOPIO policy to encourage broad participation in GOPIO Conventions. All organizations of people of Indian origin whose objectives and principles are consistent with objectives and principles of GOPIO will be eligible for participation in GOPIO Conventions.
The meetings of the Global Convention will be presided by the chairman of GOPIO and in his absence by the President of GOPIO. The Agenda for the Global Convention will be prepared by the Executive Committee in consultation with the Chairman of GOPIO. It will be open to any participating member organization to suggest items on the agenda for discussion at Global Conventions.
All participants of the Global convention will pay their own travel and other expenses, save in exceptional cases where the Executive Committee may decide to pay itself.
5.B. Executive Council: The Executive Council will be the main policymaking body of GOPIO. It is the organ which will elect the Chairman, President-Elect, Vice Presidents and members of the Executive Committee from amongst its membership. It will also appoint the Secretary General, members of the credentials Committee, International Advisory council and the Commission on Human Rights.
Executive Council meeting will be chaired be the Chairman. The Council will discuss and approve annual budget and accounts prepared by the Executive Committee.
It will be responsible for giving shape to the guidelines given by the Global Convention and will take appropriate action to implement various resolutions passed by the Convention.
It will meet at least once a year at a place and time decided by the Executive Committee in consultation with the Chairman of the council.
In case of countries from where no representatives come to attend the Global Convention, the Executive Council, on the recommendations of the Credentials Committee, will nominate a particular local association or an individual to represent the interest of the community in that country.
The Executive Council will have delegates from GOPIO chapters and national organizations and individual GOPIO Life members who would have the voting power. However, among the Life Members, no one country would have more that 25% of the total Life members, the total will be decided by GOPIO Executive Council.
To qualify for representation in the Executive council a GOPIO national organization and GOPIO chapters should be non-profit making, non-partisan and non- sectarian. It should be registered or incorporated. It should subscribe to the objectives and principles of GOPIO. It should have a written constitution and follow GOPIO Chapter initiative documents. It should have completed one year of existence at the time of application. The formula for representation is given in Appendix No.II. In case of a country which does not have a GOPIO chapter or a national organization, the Executive Council, on the recommendations of the Credentials Committee will nominate a particular association or an individual to represent the interest of the PIO community in that country. Such nominated representatives will not have the right to vote.
An organization or individuals selected to represent a country in the GOPIO Executive Council will hold that position for a period at least three years and not more than four years.
5.C. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Will be responsible for the ongoing work of GOPIO between the meetings of Executive Council. It will execute all decisions of the Executive Council and prepare all meetings of the Executive council.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE will consist of the President, Executive Vice-President and seven vice presidents, one for each of the following 7 regions:
Oceania and the Pacific
North America
Central and South America
Europe
Africa
Middle East and
South East Asia
The chairman will be ex-officio member of the Executive Committee.
All the members of the Executive Committee including the office bearers will be elected by the Executive Council from amongst its membership, for a period of 3 – 4 years and they will hold their offices until new members or office bearers are elected to replace them. Individuals cannot be re-elected to the same position more than twice and in the composition of the Executive committee, no one participating country will have more than one position.
The Executive Committee will report to the Executive Council and to the Global Convention on the activities of GOPIO, provide guidance to the Secretary-General and other staff of the GOPIO. It will meet at least once a year at a place and time to be decided by itself.
It will prepare annual budgets and accounts and present them to the Executive Council for approval.
5.C.1 CHAIRMAN will be the head of the organization. He/she will preside over the meetings of the Global Convention, Executive Council and the International Advisory Council. He/she will represent the GOPIO to the third parties in accordance with GOPIO policies. He/she will lead all deputations and delegations of which he/she is a member. He/she will provide overall leadership to GOPIO Conventions and the Executive Council and help the Executive Committee in convening GOPIO Conventions and meetings of the Executive Council. He/she will be an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee. He/she will be consulted by the President of GOPIO on all important matters.
To ensure stability and continuity it will be desirable to elect the outgoing immediate past president as new chairman when the current chairman leaves office.
5.C.2 PRESIDENT will be the Chief Executive Officer of the organization. He/she will be responsible for planning and execution of programs and activities of GOPIO and liaison with other organizations engaged in similar activities. He/she will present state of the organization reports to the Executive Council. In the absence of the chairman he/she will preside over the meetings of the Global Convention and/or Executive Council. He/she will consult the Chairman on all important matters and keep the Chairman fully informed about the activities of GOPIO.
5.C.3 EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT will perform all functions of the President in his/her absence. He/she will be responsible for preparing and presenting financial reports to the meetings of the Executive Committee and Executive Council. He/she will assist the President in raising funds for GOPIO.
5.C.4 REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENTS are elected by the Executive Council on the recommendations of the GOPIO national organizations of the region at a special meeting convened for the purpose. In case they are unable to make a unanimous recommendation, the Executive Council will nominate a suitable person as Vice-President of that region.
Regional Vice-Presidents will be responsible for developing and implementing plan of activities for their regions in accordance with GOPIO policies. They will provide leadership at regional levels and will be responsible for stimulating the creation of national GOPIO organizations in each country in their region where people of Indian origin are residing.
5.D. SECRETARY-GENERAL will carry on GOPIO work on a day to day basis under the guidance of the Chairman and President of GOPIO. He/she will be also the Secretary of the Executive Committee.
He/she will be responsible for communications with members of the Executive Committee and with others interested in the activities of the GOPIO. He/she will also be required to give shape to the decisions of the Global Convention and Executive Council, report periodically on the activities of the GOPIO and assist the President, Vice-Presidents and others in realization of the objectives of the GOPIO.
The Secretary-General will be appointed by the Executive Committee in consultation with the Chairman. Appointment can be renewed for one more term.
5.E International Coordinator or Regional Coordinators: will be appointed by the President at the suggestion of the Executive Committee for a period of 3 years. Appointment can be renewed for one more term. President may give specific tasks to these coordinators and in particular for initiating new GOPIO chapters.
5.F CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE: There will be a Credential Committee consisting of 7 members, including a Chairperson, representing different regions of the membership of the GOPIO for a period of 6 years. They will be nominated by the Executive Committee and approved by the Executive council.
The main task of the Credential Committee will be to verify the credentials of organizations seeking representation in GOPIO Executive Council and to make recommendations to the Executive Council. It will also be the responsibility of this Committee to identify groups of Non-Resident Indians and people of Indian origin who are not represented at the global meetings of the GOPIO and to initiate measures to secure their representation in due course.
5.G INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL: There will be an International Advisory Council of up to twenty persons of Indian origin who have helped the PIO communities in their countries or regions and who are able to contribute to the development of the GOPIO. The members of the International Advisory Council will be nominated by the Executive Council on the recommendation of the Executive Committee. The Chairman of GOPIO will chair the meetings of the Advisory Council. The members of the Advisory Council will be invited to GOPIO Conventions and will be kept informed about the activities of GOPIO. The President of GOPIO will be an ex-officio member of the Advisory Council.
The members of the Advisory Council will be expected to advise and help GOPIO in raising funds. The Advisory Council will be expected to create and maintain a trust fund to be used in an emergency effecting GOPIO and or any PIO community.
5.H GOPIO BUSINESS COUNCIL :GOPIO Business Council would cater to the needs of global PIO business community, facilitate networking and promote collaborations in the “borderless” world. It will be headed by a Chairperson elected by the Executive Council. Members of the Council are appointed by the Chairperson in consultation with the GOPIO Executive Committee.
5.I GOPIO CULTURAL COUNCIL : GOPIO Cultural Council would cater to the needs of global PIO fine and performing arts community, facilitate networking and promoting of PIO artists to travel from one PIO country to other countries. It will be headed by a Chairperson elected by the Executive Council. Members of the Council are appointed by the Chairperson in consultation with the GOPIO Executive Committee.
6. IMPEACHMENT: The office-bearers of the GOPIO can be impeached by the Executive council for misdemeanor and for gross and willful violation of GOPIO constitution. Impeachment proceedings can be initiated by at least five members of the Executive Council. The office-bearer concerned will be provided a written statement of the charges against him/her and given thirty days to reply to the charges. The impeachment charges and replies from the person charged will be circulated to all members of the Executive Council at least 30 days before the meeting of the Executive Council at which they are to be discussed. Impeachment decision can be made only with the three/fourth (3/4) majority of the Executive Council present and voting in a meeting with due prior notice concerning this agenda item
7. PATRONS: Persons who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of GOPIO may be honored as Patrons. All patrons will be invited to Global Conventions and will be kept informed about the activities of GOPIO.
8. COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS: Commission on Human Rights is a special organ of the GOPIO to monitor observance of human rights for minority communities of non-resident Indians and people of Indian origin and to initiate appropriate action in case of gross violations. It will consist of 7 members to represent various regions. The Commission will furnish periodical reports to various other bodies of the GOPIO. The members of the Commission and its chairman will be appointed by the Executive Council for three years. The chairman will be the head of the Commission and will represent it to third parties.
9. MEMBERSHIP FEE: It will be desirable to establish contribution amounts for different countries, based on some system like the United Nations which takes into consideration the size of the group, its economic well being, its financial possibilities, etc. Pending this, it is necessary to have an initial MEMBERSHIP FEE of US Dollars 500 PER ANNUM, in any currency convertible in US Dollars for each national organization, US$100 for GOPIO chapters. However, the Executive Committee will have the power to waive this payment or adjust it in case of a particular country, keeping in view the circumstances. The individual life membership will be US$1,000. The Executive Council may review and change the annual membership fees from time to time.
10. AMENDMENTS: Amendments to this Constitution shall be made only with the approval of the two-third (2/3) majority of the members of the Executive Council present and voting. The amendments may be initiated by the Executive Committee or by five voting members of the Executive Council acting together. If the amendments are initiated by five voting members then the members concerned shall send them in writing to the Executive Committee at least 60 days in advance of the Council meeting at which they are to be considered. Whether the amendments originate with the voting members or the Executive Committee, the Executive committee shall circulate them to the members of the Council along with their own recommendations at least 30 days in advance of the Council meeting at which they are to be considered.
11. SEAL: The Executive Committee shall provide a seal for the purpose of the Council and shall determine the manner in which it shall be used.
12. OFFICIAL YEAR: The official year of the GOPIO shall be the same as the calendar year.
13. HEADQUARTERS OF GOPIO: The headquarters and the location of the other organs of GOPIO will be decided by the Executive Council.
14. QUORUM: Quorum for taking decisions by the Executive Council should be 20 % of its membership plus one and for Executive Committee 50 % plus one.
15. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English will be the official language of the GOPIO.
16. DISSOLUTION: The GOPIO may be dissolved with the approval of the three-fourths majority of the Executive Council members present and voting at an extra-ordinary meeting specially called for this purpose. In the case of dissolution, the Executive Committee shall donate the net assets of the GOPIO to an organization whose objects are similar to the objectives of the GOPIO.
APPENDIX I
GOPIO NATIONAL ORGANIZATION
People of Indian Origin (PIO) should be encouraged to create a GOPIO National organization in each country in which they are residing, e.g., GOPIO Canada, GOPIO Germany, etc. Such an organization will pursue GOPIO objectives in its own country and send representatives to GOPIO Executive Council. It should be non profit making, non partisan, non sectarian and registered or incorporated (save where prohibited by law or not allowed otherwise).
It should hold regular elections. Its membership should be open to individuals and organizations which subscribe to GOPIO objectives and pay prescribed annual fees. Depending upon the size of PIO community, level of development of PIO organizations and, the economic circumstances of the country concerned each GOPIO national organization in consultation with GOPIO Executive Committee can decide the number of votes to be allotted to and the annual fees to be charged from its constituents.
Each national organization will have one delegate for each 5 GOPIO chapters or member associations. Additional delegate will be allowed for the next 5 chapters of member associations. The total delegates from a national organization will be limited to 5, i.e. representing 25 or more chapters or national organizations. The national organization will a pay an annual fee of $100 per delegate. These delegates are in addition to delegates representing GOPIO chapters as shown in Appendix II.
APPENDIX II
GOPIO CHAPTERS
GOPIO would facilitate city, regional and national chapter development for a global network of all PIOs. To achieve that objective, GOPIO would encourage opening of chapters every where, instilling a culture of service among the NRI/PIOs worldwide and making GOPIO an international service organization.
II.A Starting a Chapter
There must not be a GOPIO Chapter within a 10 mile radius of your local area unless it is in another state. A “mentor chapter”, mutually selected or GOPIO assigned will guide in the start-up process.
II.B Process of Starting a Chapter
Gather 5 people who can commit to work cohesively on development of chapter before writing a Letter of Intent.
Submit the LOI to GOPIO Secretariat and Regional V.P indicating your desire to start a local chapter
GOPIO President, International Coordinator or Regional V.P will help with the selection of a mentor chapter.
On receipt of LOI by GOPIO Secretariat and Regional V.P, the requester is authorized to organize the chapter with “probationary status”, which entitles:
Participation in GOPIO activities without voting rights;
Chapter link on GOPIO web page;
Organization of events and activities under GOPIO banner. Mentor chapter & GOPIO International/RVP can help with ideas;
Use of GOPIO constitution to elect officers;
Chapter incorporation, if needed, at the local level.
Chapter progress is formally reviewed by GOPIO RVP and Executive Committee approximately 3 months after organization of “start-up chapter.”
Approximately 6 months from submitting LOI; if voted in, and on receipt of annual dues, “start-up chapter” becomes an official chapter with voting rights in the GOPIO Executive Council.
For sake of uniformity, the chapter will be named with a city or an area after GOPIO, e.g. GOPIO New York.
II.C Chapter Officers
Each GOPIO Chapter will elect an Executive Committee consisting of President, Vice President, Secretary, Joint Secretary, Treasurer and other committee members.
Individual members in a chapter will pay an annual fee prescribed by the chapter Executive Committee.
II.D Remaining a Good Standing Chapter
Financial good standing (Regular payment of annual dues, currently US $100/year per delegate)
Participation in all GOPIO projects/ committee(s).
Have an elected and structured local Board
Communicate all GOPIO issues to local membership
II.E Country Coordinator
A country coordinator will be appointed by Executive Committee in consultation with the chapter presidents from that country, if there are two or more chapters in a country. The appointed Country Coordinator has to be a Life Member of GOPIO. Once there are more than five chapter or member organizations in the GOPIO national organization, the GOPIO national president will take charge of the coordinator for the country.
II.F Chapters and Life Members
Chapters are encouraged to enroll Life Members for GOPIO international. From the Life Membership fee received by GOPIO International, 25% will go to the chapter where the member comes from, which would also entail Life Membership of the local chapter. Life membership fee is decided by the Executive Council (current rate is U.S. $1,000 for developed countries, Rs. 10,000 for India).
The chapters can also have its own life members with prescribed fees (current rate is US$250) which is determined by the local chapter itself.
II.G Relationship of a Chapter with GOPIO International
A chapter in good standing will have the voting rights in the GOPIO Executive Council as per the following sliding scale:
10 to 25 members - 1 delegate
26 to 100 members - 2 delegates
101 to 500 members - 3 delegates
500 + members - 4 delegates
