1 Preamble

2 Name

3 Members: 3.3 Code of Conduct

4 Definitions

5 Basis

6 Aims

7 Principles

8 Objectives

9 Functions

10 Powers

Meetings 11.1 (Annual) Open Meetings

11.2 Extraordinary Meetings

11.5 Quorum

11.6 Chairperson

2 Center Collective meetings

13 Duties, Functions and Powers

14 Members with Candidates

Technological advances in agriculture, industry, and the military were supposed to bring freedom from want and disease. But the cost is pollution, loss of non-renewable resources, indigenous skills and bio-diversity. In short a reversal of evolutionary advancement, a disaster on a geological time scale. This failure of technocracy is a challenge to our usual anthropocentric views.

This participatory collective is called eThekwini Ecopeace. Its slogan is; Buhlakuleni uBhuthi Yitshaleni iMithi; Green Awareness Initiative Alliance.

3.1 Is not compulsory. Does not require the charge of a membership fee. Is unlimited, open to all, no restriction contrary to participatory democratic principles may be imposed.

3.2 Does require a signed commitment to respect this constitution, to promote its principles and policies and honor the following:

3.3.1 Be familiar with this constitution and policies, and have a thorough understanding of our principles.

3.3.2 Care for and promote the rights concerning all beings, species, ecosystems, and natural materials.

3.3.3 Assist in moulding eThekwini Ecopeace as a deep and profoundly green eco-centric organisation.

3.3.4 Assist in; the protection and rehabilitation of our indigenous environment, advocating appropriate technologies, and in the developing a bio-centric economy within an ethical paradigm.

3.3.5 Support the principles and practice of participatory democracy, non-heterosexism, non-homophobia, non-sexism and non-racism. Condemn and reject any and all forms of elitism and specism. Encourage contact and understanding between people of different cultures and beliefs to promote community and personal empowerment.

3.3.6 Encourage the exercise of the freedoms of thought, speech and action to oppose prejudice, discrimination, oppression, violence, intimidation and militant action. Oppose force, coercion, threats, exclusion, inequality, censorship and other forms of suppression, repression and dehumanising processes. And balance those negative aspects with the expressions of insights into their neutralisation.

3.3.7 Give due regard to all political parties and have an understanding of their aims and functions.

4 DEFINITIONS

Unless inconsistent with the text

4.1 Accountability is the democratic right, privilege and power to ensure that no decisions are made on anyone’s behalf which in any way infringe upon any of their human rights, do not compromise their dignity and are made with their express consent.

4.2 Candidate means a volunteer or democratically selected Ecopeace activist who takes part in regional, provincial or national elections.

4.3 Democracy is a process of empowerment which ensures equality and freedom in decision making, which must be explored without inhibition by all of those involved. Participatory Democracy requires the highest regard for individual responsibility and commitment, as compared to Representative Democracy which can marginalise groups and undermine personal decision making.

4.4 Empowerment means individual control over decisions affecting one’s life without denying any participatory democratic process.

4.5 Environmentalism sees nature as important and tries to conserve it, Green Awareness goes further.

4.6 Green is a holistic approach, and recognises the need for people to have this attitude in changing the political structures necessary for the preservation of our ecology.

4.7 Heterosexism is the view that heterosexuality is the `norm' for all social/sexual relationships, imposed through homophobia.

4.8 Homophobia is the hatred or irrational fear of, and/or prejudice against homosexuals.

4.9 Non-heterosexism means the removal of discrimination and domination based on heterosexism and the development of a culture in which human relationships are not purely defined by heterosexual values and sexual orientation.

4.10 Pro-active means specific actions to heal damage, hurt and suffering of environments and their inhabitants.

4.11 Specism is the view or actions which imply that humans are superior or can survive in a viable biosphere without due regard to the rights of other beings and species, and their environments.

4.12 Quorum is the minimum number that must be present in a meeting to make its transactions valid.

This constitution seeks to describe the aims and aspirations of its constituents, and by their authority, create a body to advance and protect those aspirations, as and when they need. This constitution makes incumbent upon elected members of this body, certain duties and responsibilities and vests in them the following democratic rights, for the better fulfillment of the aspirations of its constituents.

This constitution embodies the intentions for:

6.1 An open participatory governmental system responsive to all beings, species, ecosystems, and natural materials.

6.2 Redress of societal, economic, political, environmental and personal injustices.

6.3 A non-specist, non-sexist, non-sectarian, pro-active, sentient rights based, inclusive culture.

6.4 An ecology conducive to the health, wealth and well-being of this and future generations.

6.5 Sustainable societal development with all being equal partners in progress.

We commit ourselves to the actions necessary to create a society based on the following.

We assert the right of every person to:

7.1 Participate in a democratic system of governance.

7.2 Free speech, freedom from censorship, access to information, freedom of association and political activity co-dependant on the right of every person to be protected from harm.

7.3 Adequate and suitable health care, a safe vital environment and quality of life.

7.4 An education with sensitivity for people culture and nature, relevant to South Africa, accessible and open to all, free from any ideological bias or imposition from the state or any other group.

7.5 Freedom from prejudice due to age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, language, culture, personal beliefs, predilections, conscience, attire, appearance, economic status, intellectual or physical ability.

8.1 To campaign for an environment conducive to the intellectual, physical and spiritual development of Ecopeace members and the public.

8.2 To promote good relations between members and the public.

8.3 To advance the ethical standing of eThekwini Ecopeace, that Ecopeace members be treated with respect and dignity, and participate in decisions concerning their lives.

8.4 To promote concern for all beings, species, ecosystems, and natural materials in the interest of a just and fair society free of abuse, exploitation and discrimination.

8.5 To confront economic, social, political and environmental inequities in our society.

8.6 To build and strengthen eThekwini Ecopeace.

8.7 To initiate awareness of Green issues, indigenous cultures, appropriate technologies and healing arts.

8.8 To cooperate with any individual(s) or group(s) to further the above clauses.

The functions of eThekwini Ecopeace shall be:

9.1 To campaign for any beings, species, ecosystems, or natural materials, in any manner appropriate.

9.2 To promote a holistic view of the inter-relationship of all beings, species and natural materials.

9.3 To initiate and provide democratic, effective and positive leadership.

9.4 To participate and have an appropriately substantive say in committees which make decisions impacting on Ecopeace members.

9.5 To ensure that participatory democratic principles and practises are pursued within eThewini Ecopeace. And to campaign for the same participatory principles and practices to be pursued in society generally.

9.6 To monitor the Selection of Centre Members and Candidates.

9.7 To be a facilitating body in matters pertaining to meetings, collections, petitions and protests organised by Ecopeace members.

9.8 To inform Ecopeace members of the activities of eThekwini Ecopeace.

9.9 To deliver regular progress reports to eThekwini Ecopeace members.

10 POWERS

The powers of eThekwini Ecopeace shall be:

10.1 To be the body to which all Ecopeace members and committees shall be accountable, and to have the right to exercise jurisdiction or withdraw membership in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.

10.2 To control the use of the name, slogans and symbols of eThekwini Ecopeace.

10.3 To assess reports and functioning of committees and members, and make any changes as and when required.

10.4 To administer the money for use by Ecopeace members as herein provided.

10.5 To take the actions necessary to advance the aims, objectives and policies of this constitution.

10.6 To appoint any special commission for the purpose of investigating and reporting on any matter connected with the work of eThekwini Ecopeace.

11.1.1 There may be one or more Open Meetings held each year for the purpose of a Report on Finance, a report on progress with regard to the Programme of Action, and Selection of Centre Collective Members and/or Candidates.

11.1.2 Centre Collective shall convene Open Meetings. Any report or motion to such Meetings must be given to the Administrator to be put on display, together with a copy of the agenda, before the Meeting.

11.1.3 Public notice of Open Meetings must be given at least seven (7) days before the Open Meeting.

11.1.4 Anyone in attendance may vote at an Open Meeting.

11.2.1 Centre Collective shall convene an Extraordinary Meeting when it is petitioned to do so by any Ecopeace members provided that the petition contains a statement of the matter to be discussed. This petition is to be put on display before the Extraordinary Meeting.

11.2.3 Notice of Extraordinary Meetings must be given to all Ecopeace members at least seven (7) days before the start of the Meeting.

11.2.4 Only Ecopeace members may vote at an Extraordinary Meeting.

11.3 The minutes of any Open or Extraordinary Meeting shall be displayed at the following Center Collective, Open and Extraordinary Meetings.

11.4 A referendum shall be held upon the resolution of

The quorum of any Open or Extraordinary Meeting consists of 50% of the total number of Ecopeace members less any who gave apologies. If a quorum is not obtained within 30 minutes it shall be announced that there is no quorum. That Meeting shall then recommence within one month without the requirement of a quorum. Anyone who is absent from both the initial and reconvened Meetings without apologies shall lose their Ecopeace membership.

This may be amended in accordance with eThekweni Ecopeace constitution. All Meetings to be conducted as set out below, emphasising participatory democracy, finding holistic solutions with full discussion, avoiding patriarchal control of debate. In cases not provided, the Meeting shall form consensus.

Accept the Agenda to start a Meeting.

All motions must be tabled.

1.2 Discussion of an accepted motion shall be reopened, after acceptance of a motion to reopen discussion.

1.3 When a motion has been accepted, a motion of rescission or a motion amending it shall be tabled after a motion to reopen discussion has been accepted as in 1.2.

1.4 A motion rejected, withdrawn or lapsed may be proposed again after a motion to reopen discussion has been accepted as in 1.2. Previous discussion should not be repeated.

2.1 All amendment must be tabled.

2.2 A motion may be amended by; removing words, inserting words, removing certain words and substituting other words, by adding words, removing all the words and substituting other words dealing with the same subject.

2.3 Proposed amendments may also be amended, in the same manner as a motion.

2.4 Propose the order amendments shall be put to the vote. Deal with all amendments before voting on the motion.

2.5 An amendment which has been accepted or rejected may again be tabled after permission by a majority.

2.6 When any amendments have been accepted, the amended motion is put to the vote.

2.7 When all amendments have been rejected, the original motion is put to the vote.

REPORTS

Reports shall be drawn up as a recounting of events and explanations of events, and all recommendations and opinions should be appended separately. When a report is to be given, then it shall be proposed "that the report is tabled". The report shall then be open to discussion provided that:

No amendments shall be made in the text of the report.

Only such portions of the report which do not fall under another heading on the agenda shall be discussed.

When a report contains recommendations, such recommendations shall be voted on.

3.1 A member may speak in turn to a motion or amendment or a report or upon a question of order arising in the debate. Questions may be asked and information given in respect of any matter relevant to the meeting. No other discussion or distraction should occur.

3.2 The proposer of a motion should introduce the motion and reply to the debate thereon. After her/is reply no other member should speak to the motion.

3.3 Any member should speak for no more than a total of five minutes on any motion or amendment.

3.4 No member should speak to a motion or amendment after it has been put to the vote.

3.5 "Equalisation of debate" may be proposed and put to the vote immediately, without debate. If accepted each speaker is listed as for or against the motion or amendment then tabled. Each alternatively in favour or against the motion or amendement speaks. If the next speaker is of the same opinion as the previous, they can lose their right to speak to a speaker of the opposite view. Should no such speaker be found, debate

will then be closed. A speaker in favour of abstention shall be regarded as against the motion.

3.6 Summaries of speeches made in debate should be minuted.

3.7 Any question of order that may arise in debate shall at once be dealt with by the meeting.

3.8 The meeting must maintain debate and should rule out of order any matter not pertaining to the meeting. A member may by motion, object to any ruling by the meeting.

3.9 A member may at any stage of the debate, except when an amendment is tabled (but after an amendment has been voted on, and the original or amended motion is tabled for a final vote), propose "the motion be withdrawn". Such withdrawal may be debated immediately, and no further amendment to the original motion will then be tabled. When after such debate the withdraw is voted on;

if the withdrawal is accepted, then the original motion is withdrawn without a vote being taken on it,

if the withdraw is rejected, then the original or amended motion is immediately put to the vote without further discussion or amendment.

3.10 A debate may be superseded by:

A motion, "that the Meeting does now close"

A member calling attention that a quorum is not present

A motion agreed to that "the Meeting debates the item at another time"

A motion of no confidence in the Meeting.

3.11 A member may at any stage of the debate propose "closure" which may voted without discussion.

ORDER

A member who wilfully disturbs orderly conduct may be asked by the Meeting to leave and/or offer a satisfactory apology. Any breach of harmony should be dealt with by the Meeting.

MINUTES

Accurate minutes kept of every Meeting shall contain:

4.1 The names of the members in attendance

4.2 The text of every motion tabled with the name of the proposer, and a full statement of the voting figures.

4.3 If requested by a member, note that s/he voted for, against, or abstained from voting and her/is reasons.

4.4 Any decisions made at the discretion of the Meeting.

4.5 Explanations of procedure when necessary for clarity.

LAPSED MOTIONS

Motions upon which there is an equal vote consequently fall away.

MEMBER