Constitution - Belly Dancing Association of South Africa

1. Name

The name of the association is Belly Dancing Association of South Africa (hereinafter referred to as “B.D.A.S.A.”)

2. Aims and Objectives

2.1	The main object of B.D.A.S.A. is to function as a representative of all professional belly dance teachers and belly dancers in South Africa and in its capacity as such to:-
	2.1.1	ensure that teachers who choose to follow B.D.A.S.A. syllibi are adequately trained.
	2.1.2	to form an act as a channel of communication between teachers, studios and the general public and provide a safe open forum for sharing and promoting the love of dance.
	2.1.3	to provide interaction between South African and international teachers for educational opportunities.
2.2	To actively promote and maintain the image, credibility of, and respect for the belly dancer.
2.3	To actively seek, promote and maintain contact/communication between affiliated members and the international world of belly dancing to ensure the highest possible standards of the dance form are established.
2.4	To promote and hold sacred the unique qualities of every teacher, studio and individual dancer.

3. Membership

	3.1	Membership is open to all dancing teachers and professional dancers
	3.2	Membership will be renewable annually

4. Management

The BDASA shall be run on a non-profit basis. All funds raised shall be used to further the aims and objectives of the association. To this end:-

4.1	Management of the Association will be the responsibility of the Board
4.2	The board shall have the power to do all things necessary for the running of the association.
4.3	Members of the board may be elected by submission of an application duly proposed and seconded by a board member. Such proposal shall be voted on by all board members.
4.4	In the event of resignation of a Board Member:-
	4.4.1	The board shall seek applicants for the board membership post from affliated members with at least 2 (two) years standing.
	4.4.2	Such applicants shall submit an application with CV to be proposed and seconded by board members at a meeting convened for the purpose of considering such matter. Not less than twenty–one days notice shall be given of such meeting and the notice convening the meeting shall clearly state that application for board membership will be considered.
	4.4.3	If no suitable applicant is found amoungst the membership the board shall have the right to seek applicants from the wider belly dancing community provided that such applicant is subject to requirements set out in 4.4.2
4.5	The board may regulate it's meeting as it deems fit subject to the following conditions :-
	4.5.1	A minimum of 1 meetings shall be held each year and proper minutes shall be kept of such meetings;
	4.5.2	Unless otherwise stated in this constitution, resolutions shall be by a majority of votes and voting by proxy shall be permissible. In the event of an equality of votes, the chairperson shall have a second or casting vote.
	4.5.3	A meeting may be called by the chairperson or by any three members of the BDASA board provided that all members of the board be given at least 14 days notice of such meeting.
	4.5.4	At meetings, a majority of board members shall form a quorum. However, if there is no quorum at any particular meeting it shall be adjourned for not less that 15 minutes and members present at the meeting after such adjournment shall constitute a quorum.
	4.5.5	The BDASA shall appoint committees as it deems fit.
	4.5.6	The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall have the right to sit on all committees.

5. Dissolution

	5.1	The Association may be dissolved if at least two thirds of the members present and voting at a meeting of the BDASA convened for the purpose of considering such matter are in favour of dissolution. Not less than twenty- one days notice shall be given of such meeting and the notice convening the meeting shall clearly state that the question of dissolution of the BDASA and disposal of its assets will be considered. A quorum for such meeting will be considered to be two thirds of the membership. If there is no quorum at such a meeting, the meeting shall stand adjourned for not less than one week and the members attending such meeting shall constitute a quorum.
	5.2	If upon dissolution of the BDASA there remains any assets whatsoever after satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities such assets shall be donated to a "like" non-profit organisation.

6. Amendments of Constitution

	6.1	Amendments to the constitution may be initiated by members of the Association.
	6.2	The Constitution may be amended by a three-quarter majority of votes of the members present at a meeting of the BDASA called for this purpose, of which at least 14 days notice has been given.