CONSTITUTION OF THE JOHANNESBURG VOLUNTARY MOUNTED RIVER RANGERS

1. NAME

The name of the organisation shall be the Johannesburg Voluntary Mounted River Rangers (herein referred to as “The River Rangers”)

2. GOVERNING BODY

The governing body shall be the Board of Directors of the Section 21 company. The members of the company (Registration number 1006/005302/08) shall in accordance with the articles of association of the company appoint further directors at their annual general meeting should the need arise. Such board shall be governed by the articles of association of the Section 21 company and shall be responsible for all financial matters and shall submit annual audited accounts to all River Ranger members. The Board shall further have full power and authority to do any act, matter or thing which could or might be done by the organisation. Without in any way limiting the general powers and authorities hereby conferred on it the Board shall:

bear full responsibility to the Board of directors of Johannesburg City Parks for the control of all the activities of the river rangers
promote the development of an efficient network of mounted rangers, for the purpose of implementing regular riverine parks patrols, reporting on environmental hazards, guiding the general public and trail blazing
frame rules and regulations for the River Rangers, subject to the approval of the Board of directors of Johannesburg City Parks.
shall meet at least four times in each year. the secretary shall on the instructions of the chairperson or in response to the written request of at least three members convene a special meeting of the board on at least seven days’ notice.
organise an annual general meeting of all River Rangers to receive and consider the Chairman’s annual report of the year’s progress, the submission of audited accounts and the election of a management committee.
the chairperson or, failing him, the vice-chairperson shall preside at meetings of the board. In the absence of the chairperson and the vice-chairperson, the board shall elect a chairperson to preside at such meeting
all decisions of the board shall be adopted on the decision of the majority; in the event of an equality of votes, the Chairperson of the meeting shall have a casting or second vote

3. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Management Committee shall consist of two representatives from each yard having more than 10 rangers, 1 representative from each yard with between 5 and 10 rangers, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Board (ex-officio), the overall Stable Manager (ex-officio) and one yard manager from each yard.
Such committee shall elect its own office bearers.
It shall meet at least four times in each year and the secretary shall on the instructions of the chairperson or in response to the written request of at least three members convene a special meeting of the committee on at least seven days notice.
A quorum at meetings of the Committee shall be four members
All decisions of the committee shall be adopted on the decision of the majority; in the event of an equality of votes the chairperson of the meeting shall have a casting or second vote.
The committee shall be responsible for the patrol roster, the reporting of patrol findings, assisting in fund raising, clean-up projects and other general activities of the River Rangers.

4. RANGER BASE MANAGERS

Each Ranger Base shall be run by a full-time, competent experienced Manager appointed by the Stable Yard who shall supervise grooms, attend to horses’ wellbeing, provide instruction and outrides.

5. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

(i) AGM of members of the Section 21 Company

An annual general meeting of the members of the Section 21 company shall take place before the 30th June each year to receive and consider the chairman’s annual report and the audited financial statements for the previous year and to discuss any further business.
Written notice of the meeting shall be given 28 days prior to the meeting taking place.
A quorum shall be 50% (fifty percent) of the registered members in good standing.
Registered members shall have the right to vote.
Voting shall take place by show of hands or by secret ballot if so decided by the chairperson.

(ii) AGM of the River Rangers

An annual general meeting of the River Rangers shall take place before the 30 September each year to receive and consider the Board Chairman’s annual report and the audited financial statements for the previous year, to receive and consider the annual report of the Chairman of the Management Committee and to elect members of the Management Committee for the ensuing year and to discuss any other relevant matters.
Written notice of the meeting shall be given 28 days prior to the meeting taking place.
A quorum shall be 50% (fifty percent) of the registered active members in good standing
Should a quorum not be present within thirty minutes after the appointed time for a general meeting, the general meeting, if convened by or on request of members, shall be dissolved and in any other case shall stand adjourned to the same time and day (or if that day is a public holiday, the next business day) in the next week at the same time and place, and a quorum at the resumption of the general meeting shall be the members present in person.
Registered members, 18 years and older, shall have the right to vote.
Voting shall take place by show of hands or by secret ballot if so decided by the chairperson.

6. MEMBERSHIP OF THE Section 21 company ‘ THE JOHANNESBURG VOLUNTARY MOUNTED RIVER RANGERS

The first members of the company shall be the subscribers to the memorandum of association. In addition, the directors may, in their discretion, admit any person who supports the objects of the company as a member of the company on the terms and conditions contained in the articles of association, and subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the directors on the date of such admission.

7. RIVER RANGER MEMBERS

The secretary of the Management Committee shall maintain a register of all members in good standing, in their respective classes of membership.

Membership of the River Rangers shall consist of:

Ordinary members - Active, voluntary mounted River Rangers - compulsory membership. Any person may become a member of the River Rangers on payment of the entrance and annual subscription fees, as determined by the Board of Directors.
Honorary Life Members - By unanimous vote the Board of Directors, Honorary Life Membership may be awarded to a person who has rendered meritorious service to the Organization. Such member shall be exempt from payment of membership fees.

8. FINANCE

The financial year-end of the rangers shall be 28 February each year.
All monies shall be under the control of the Board of Directors and shall be held in an account in the name of the Johannesburg Voluntary Mounted River Rangers.
All expenditure shall be confirmed at a board meeting.
All cheques shall be signed by two of the authorised signatories.
An official auditor is to be selected and appointed. A copy of the audited accounts shall be circulated to all members of the company at least two weeks prior to the annual general meeting.

9. AFFILIATED BODIES OR GROUPS

Established outside organizations which wish to make use of the river Ranger’s facilities on a regular basis, may apply to the board to become affiliated. Payment of an affiliation fee shall be at the discretion of the board of directors.

Such an organization shall furnish:

a constitution.
a list of addresses and telephone numbers of the office bearers for that year.

The board of directors may cancel any affiliation and its decision in this regard shall be final. In such event no fees shall be refunded.

10. PARTNERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS

The River Rangers are encouraged, where possible, to form partnerships or affiliations with like-minded organisations, with the objective of strengthening and enhancing their effectiveness in preserving and improving the environs they protect, as well as the added benefit of increasing their income-generating potential.

11. AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION

this constitution shall only be amended upon a resolution passed by a majority of a properly constituted Special General Meetings of members of the Section 21 company called for that specific purpose.
the proposed amendments shall be submitted by the Section 21 company to the board of directors of Johannesburg City Parks for approval.
at least two weeks notice of any proposed amendments shall be given to members of the Section 21 company.

12. WINDING UP OF THE RIVER RANGERS

In the event of the River Rangers ceasing to function for the purposes for which it was established, or if for any reason/s whatsoever, it is unable to meet its obligations financially, then the members, at a Special General Meeting called for that specific purpose , may wind up the affairs of the organisation, and determine the manner of winding up and the disposal of the River Rangers’ assets.
In the event of the River Rangers being wound up, then any remaining assets after all liabilities have been met, shall be given or transferred to some other organisation or association, having objects similar to those of the Rangers. This clause shall not be altered, varied, or rescinded under any circumstances subject, however, to there being a unanimous decision to that effect of those members present at the said Special General Meeting, subject further that such unanimous decision shall not have the effect that the remaining assets shall revert to the members of the Rangers, but that it shall revert to some other organisation or association having objects similar to those of the river rangers.