The Constitution
The constitution of the Assam Forum of Great Britain was adopted in its first meeting held on 12th January 2013 at the Jubilee Room, YMCA Indian Student Hostel, London.
The constitution of the Assam Forum of Great Britain was adopted in its first meeting held on 12th January 2013 at the Jubilee Room, YMCA Indian Student Hostel, London. The Constitution was amended on 4th February 2017.
CONSTITUTION (Amended 2017)
Assam Forum of Great Britain
(Established 2013)
1. The Forum Assam Forum of Great Britain (AFGB) is a voluntary society. It consists of a voluntary group of people, the AFGB members, who are interested in socio-economic issues of Assam.
2. Aims and Objectives
2.1 The aims of AFGB are:
(a) To discuss economic, social, political and cultural issues of Assam;
(b) To submit suggested solutions to the Government of Assam and to the Government of India;
(c) To raise awareness among the Assamese community and the wider population of the UK of the ongoing concerns in Assam.
2.2 The objectives of AFGB are:
(a) To hold conferences and seminars on the burning issues of Assam at suitable times;
(b) to invite expert opinions on specific topics of Assam;
(c) to facilitate the global Assamese diaspora to have a united voice on important issues of Assam; and
(d) to publish well-researched articles on Assam and the North East in AFGB Website.
3. History
Assam Forum GB has evolved out of Assam Forum of the United Assam Association of the United Kingdom (UAAUK) because of the constitutional constraints of the UAAUK. From 2011 to 2012, Dr. Jitendralal Borkakoti who was then Vice-President of the UAAUK led Assam Forum with the help of Dr. Jayanta Sarma. A successful conference was held in February 2012, and an Executive Summary of the resulting conclusions on various topics was sent to the Chief Minister of Assam. Upon request from a few of us, the UAAUK Executive Committee agreed at an Executive Committee meeting on 6th October 2012 held in Birmingham to allow Assam Forum to be an independent organisation. Following this decision, at a meeting held in Jubilee Room, YMCA Indian Student Hostel, London W1T 6AQ, under the chairmanship of Dr. Jitendralal Borkakoti, Assam Forum of Great Britain was formally established on 12th January 2013 as a voluntary society.
4. Management
4.1 The Executive Committee (EC) will consist of ten people. The core administration will be undertaken by:
(a) Chairperson (who chairs meetings/ conferences, and gives general guidance)
(b) Vice-Chairperson (who helps the Chairperson and takes on the role of Chairperson in his/her absence)
(c) Joint General Secretaries and Convenors (who set the AFGB agenda for discussion of relevant issues, find expert individuals to speak and to write, and organise conferences/seminars at suitable times)
(d) Treasurer (who keeps accounts, prepares financial reports, operates the Bank account, and helps to raise funds)
(e) Director of Media (who deals with the media, liaises with the individuals of younger generation from Assam and the North East in the UK Universities and other institutions)
(f) Event Manager (who helps to manage events organised by AFGB)
(g) Two Advisors (who give the benefit of their past experience)
(h) Founder Chairperson (Emeritus position)
Decisions will be taken in consultation with all EC members. Such consultations will be carried out by emails, as it is expensive both to arrange meetings and also to travel to meetings. The Executive Committee will come up with various proposals concerning AFGB activities, and these will be communicated to all members for comments and suggestions. Elections for the office bearers of the Executive Committee will be decided by emails or at a meeting every two years, with the proviso that the life of the existing Executive Committee can be extended by another term, if circumstances so dictate.
4.2 Forum Membership
(a) Any interested person can apply to the Chairperson to become a Forum member;
(b) Members have to pay a subscription of £10 per head per annum;
(c) A Forum member may be invited to have responsibility for at least one aspect of Assam and he/she will be expected to keep track of that particular issue.
5. Finance
5.1 Funds (a) AFGB will be funded by voluntary donations including both individuals and institutions. (b) An annual membership fee of £10.
5.2 Accounts Delete repeated word audited by an appointed member, will be submitted electronically to all members by the Treasurer at the end of each calendar year (which is the financial year of AFGB).
6. Accountability
The Executive Committee has the right to make decisions on any matter in order to ascertain that conferences and seminars are successfully organised, and that submitted articles for publication in AFGB Website are vetted and edited.
7. Duty of Care
Any member proven to have brought AFGB to disrepute by his/her actions will be struck off; and will cease to be a member. It will be the sole responsibility of the offending member to compensate, if required, and will not be a burden on the part of AFGB.
CONSTITUTION (Superseded)
Assam Forum of Great Britain
(Established 2013)
1. The Forum
Assam Forum of Great Britain (AFGB) is a voluntary society. It consists of a voluntary group of people, the AFGB members, who are interested in the issues of Assam.
2. Aims and Objectives
2.1 The aims of AFGB are:
(a) To discuss the economic, social, political and cultural issues of Assam;
(b) To submit suggested solutions to the Government of Assam and to the Government of India;
(c) To raise awareness among the Assamese community and the wider population of the UK of the ongoing concerns in Assam.
2.2 The objectives of AFGB are: (a) To hold an annual conference on the burning issues of Assam, and also to organise seminars on urgent issues. (b) To invite expert opinions on specific topics of Assam; (c) To facilitate the global Assamese diaspora to have a united voice on specific issues.
3. History
Assam Forum GB has evolved out of Assam Forum of the United Assam Association of the United Kingdom (UAAUK) because of the constitutional constraints of the UAAUK. From 2011 to 2012, Dr. Jitendralal Borkakoti who was then Vice-President of the UAAUK led Assam Forum with the help of Dr. Jayanta Sarma. A successful conference was held in February 2012, and an Executive Summary of the resulting conclusions on various topics has been sent to the Chief Minister of Assam. The UAAUK Executive Committee agreed in October 2012 to allow Assam Forum to be an independent organisation.
4. Management
4.1 Executive Committee The Executive committee will consist of a minimum of five people. The core administration will be undertaken by
(a) Chairman and Chief Convenor,
(b) Vice-Chairman (who helps the Chairman),
(c) Treasurer (who keeps accounts of AFGB),
(d) Secretary (who helps the Chairman in organising conferences/seminars),
(e) Webmaster and
(f) Press Officer
in consultation with all members. Such consultations will be carried out by emails, as it is expensive both to arrange meetings and also to travel to meetings. The Executive Committee will come up with proposals, and these will be communicated to all members for comments and suggestions.
Elections for the office bearing roles of the Executive Committee will be decided online every two years.
4.2 Forum Membership
(a) Any interested person can apply to the chairman to become a Forum member;
(b) Forum members are expected to make a donation;
(c) A Forum member may be invited to have responsibility for at least one aspect of Assam and he/she will be expected to keep track of that particular issue.
5. Finance
5.1 Fund Raising
AFGB will be funded by voluntary donations including both individuals and institutions.
5.2 Accounts
Accounts audited by an appointed member, will be submitted electronically to all members by the Treasurer at the end of each calendar year (which is the financial year of AFGB).
Amendment regarding Membership and Finances (Schedule of Fees)
6. Accountability
The Executive Committee has the right to take decisions on any matter in order to ascertain that the annual conference and other seminars are successfully organised.