Published by RAKSHA
Registered society for Knowledge and Health activities
Memorandum of association and Rules and Regulations of RAKSHA
1
Published by RAKSHA
Contents• Preamble • Name 1) Purpose- (including mission statement.) 2) Structure and rules - a) membership b) governing council c) Present committee 3) Geographical Location- (including legal jurisdiction.) 4) Functions of Raksha- (including activities planned) 5) Employees- (including rules governing employment of staff.) 6) Funds 7) Accounts 8) Dissolution and amendments 9) Summary
2
Published by RAKSHA
Preamble: The world has made impressive leaps of development in the fields of knowledge and health. Unfortunately, development does not show signs of equity of distribution and sustainability in the long term. There is a need for an agency which will ensure that all the benefits of this new knowledge and expertise percolates down to the last sections of society in a sustainable manner. Name: The name of the society is “Registered society for knowledge, social justice, health and assistance" (hereby referred as RAKSHA).It will also be known as "Registered society for knowledge and Health activities".RAKSHA is a not-for-profit society. (to be registered under The Societies registration act 1860 of the Indian constitution)
1) Purpose: a. The purpose of the society is to make a contribution in the new world by working for sustainable and effective development. This non profit, self sustaining society shall mainly focus on knowledge and health issues and work towards consolidation of gains made in knowledge and health related fields in the last centuries. b. RAKSHA pledges to establish the Right to Health, which essentially means timely best quality healthcare for everyone, without discriminations. The society shall work towards progressive realization of this right.RAKSHA shall strive to bring quality healthcare to people by diverse mechanisms. Guided by Doctors and technologists, the society will initiate innovative means to attain this elusive fundamental right. c. It shall strive to disseminate knowledge and health, in toto. The society shall come out with regular publications, multimedia tools, awareness drives, pamphlets, seminars, medical camps and training programs to disseminate knowledge in health.
3
Published by RAKSHA
d. RAKSHA proposes to be a center of Knowledge. It will be a nodal agency for monitoring and generation of important data.RAKSHA shall collaborate with various governmental and non governmental institutions in India and abroad to collect and collate data. All important trends and statistics will be published via multi media. e. RAKSHA aims to assist various United Nations agencies and programs like UNESCO and WHO, and get registered with Department of Public Information/ NGO sector, UN secretariat. f. RAKSHA shall work closely with NACO / SACS for implementation of national aids control programme. (NACP III) 2) Structure and Rules of RAKSHAa. Membership1. RAKSHA is a not for profit society with membership open to all persons without discrimination. Any person desirous of membership of RAKSHA shall have to fill a proscribed form and apply to the chairman of the managing committee along with requisite fees of Rs. 100/-(one hundred only). New members shall be accepted only after approval of the managing committee. 2. Membership shall ordinarily be for 5(five) years, after which it shall have to be renewed. 3. Membership of any member can be terminated by a three fifths majority of the board AND assent of the Chairman of the managing committee. b. Governing Council1. The society is governed by a management committee/ governing council. The members shall choose a managing committee from amongst the members of the society.
4
Published by RAKSHA
2. There shall be 8(eight) members of the management committee. 3. All the members of the management committee shall have one vote each. 4. The committee shall elect a Chairman, treasurer and a secretary from amongst the members of the committee. 5. All routine decisions shall be taken by the committee on the basis of three fifths majority of votes. 6. The presence of any three committee members and the Chairman (total 4 members) shall be designated as a quorum. 7. The Chairman shall only vote in cases of a tie/deadlock because of equal number of votes or when the required three fifths majority is not being achieved. c. The members of the present managing committee are• Committee member #1 – Dr. Neelesh Bhandari, MD. Address- C/o Suncity Hospital, Paota, Jodhpur Occupation- Doctor • Committee member #2 – Dr. Preeti Lodha, MD. Address- c/o- Suncity Hospital, Paota, Jodhpur Occupation- Doctor • Committee member #3 – Mr. Rajendrasingh Bhandari Address- Opp. B.R.Birla Public school, Jodhpur Occupation- Consultant • Committee member #4 – Dr. Tanushree Mazumdar, Ph.D Address- IIBF, Nariman point, Mumbai. Occupation- Education scientist • Committee member #5 – Dr. Arti Mehta, Ph.D Address- Sardarpura, Jodhpur Occupation- Educationist • Committee member #6 – Mrs. Kim Kothari Address- Sardarpura, Jodhpur
5
Published by RAKSHA
Occupation- Financial Analyst • Committee member #7 – Mrs. Aruna Lodha Address- Sardarpura, Jodhpur Occupation- Homemaker • Committee member #8 – Dr. Rupal Lodha, Ph.D Address- Sardarpura Jodhpur Occupation- Educationist 1) Committee members no. 1,2 and 3 shall occupy the position of Chairman, Secretary and treasurer respectively of this management committee 2) Members of the management committee shall ordinarily have tenure of 5 years, after which one shall have to seek reelection.
3) The committee shall meet at least twice a year, and as often as required for various projects. 4) Any change in rules/composition of the society shall be filed with the Registrar of Societies. All information shall also be published on our website.
3. Geographical Locationa. The society seeks to promote knowledge and health in south-east Asia.RAKSHA shall operate from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. b. Since many local activities are also planned, RAKSHA shall operate from premises, leased or hired, within Jodhpur District of Rajasthan state in India. Presently, Raksha shall operate from the following address: RAKSHA C/o Suncity hospital and research Center. Paota, Jodhpur-342006. (India).
6
Published by RAKSHA
c. Any change in address decided by unanimous decision of the committee shall be intimated to all and also published in the media. d. All disputes shall be settled under the jurisdiction of Jodhpur high court bench. 4. Functions of RakshaRAKSHA shall work in various fields of knowledge and health for sustainable and effective development via various activities and publications. The activities mentioned next are only indicative of the aims of RAKSHA, and are not meant to be exclusive. a. Knowledge RAKSHA will work in the fields of education, knowledge, information technology and statistical research. ►1- Free dissemination of Knowledge RAKSHA plans to organize various platforms for free dissemination of knowledge via conferences, seminars, meets etc.Various publications like reports and pamphlets by the society are planned for important contemporary topics. Effective use of information and communication technologies will be made. Other activities can be initiated as and when required. ►2- Creation of new knowledge. Regular monitoring, compilation, evaluation and forwarding of data collected from various public and private health care organizations shall be done on a regular basis. RAKSHA shall publish important data as and when required in interest of public health. RAKSHA shall also carry out research activities in fields of knowledge and health.
7
Published by RAKSHA
►3- Data monitoring. RAKSHA shall liaise with the private nursing homes and Hospitals as well as district authorities like Chief Medical Officer and Regional child health officer. Data regarding patient inflows/demographic indicators/health statistics (including requirements and availability of quality health services) / education (including requirements and availability of holistic education) etc. shall be sought without compromising on the rights of privacy of the population. Data from all the private and public sources will be tabulated, corelated and analyzed for significant trends. Data shall also be forwarded to relevant agencies. RAKSHA shall thus help monitor and implement various national policies and international agreements and obligations in health and knowledge.
►4- Awareness programs RAKSHA shall launch various awareness programs to achieve universal literacy and good health. Optimum use of Information and communication technologies will be emphasized. Fund raising events will be organized for the promotion of health and human rights. ►5- Training and workshops Trainings and workshops shall be organized for various people working in the education and learning sector. RAKSHA shall work towards constant up gradation of skills of knowledge workers. ►6- Seminars and conferences Seminars and conferences will be organized for people working in the field of knowledge and learning. Free dissemination of new ideas and strategies will be encouraged.
8
Published by RAKSHA
►7- Publications and InfomercialsRAKSHA shall produce/co-produce/distribute informational multimedia packages for free or paid distribution via various medias.RAKSHA shall endeavor to register itself with Department of Public Information/NGO section for wider reach. ►8- Protection of Intellectual property. RAKSHA is a Hindi word which means “To Protect". Raksha stands firmly with the international community in the fight against pilferage of intellectual property. The society shall advocate policy for complete implementation of TRIPS( Trade related aspects of Intellectual property rights) and actively work in implementation of laws to prevent copyright infringements in all its manifestations. RAKSHA aims to liaise with other international agencies working in this field and join/initiate mechanisms to protect Intellectual property in India and Southeast Asia. ►9- Miscellaneous RAKSHA believes in bringing important knowledge to people with ease of use. The society shall work towards ways to achieve this objective. b. Health ►1- Establish "Right to Health”. Encourage social changes for good health. Articles 21 and 15, along with article 19 of the Part III, of Indian constitution recognize an individual’s fundamental right to health. The W.H.O has declared right to health as a fundamental right in 1948.RAKSHA shall work towards educating the public about their rights and duties. It shall endeavor to bring about a positive social change in the fields of health and education. The society seeks to
9
Published by RAKSHA
partner other NGOs in this sector and establish the still elusive "Right to Health" in all its implications. ►2- Help hold free medical and surgical camps as and where required. Local private and public hospitals shall be approached for this purpose. Guided by doctors, the society proposes to start a continuous mechanism to bring quality health care to the needy. Junior Schools shall be adopted to ensure free and best quality of primary and secondary healthcare for children.RAKSHA also proposes to adopt entire villages and provide for their healthcare and educational needs. ►3- Advocacy of better policy to ensure error free, timely and nondiscriminatory health care for all. The society shall ally with international societies to lobby for appropriate changes in the law of the land so as to achieve universal right to health.RAKSHA shall work with the government and private sectors to map out a "rights-based approach to health". ►4- Monitoring of various indicators of health and population. RAKSHA shall collect important indicators of education and health from various public and private healthcare providers and other institutions. Right of Privacy shall be respected while collecting data. All available statistics shall be monitored and forwarded to relevant agencies. ►5- Create awareness of contemporary health matters and holistic approach to health. RAKSHA shall organize seminars/events for sensitizing people on health related matters. A holistic approach to health by using all available knowledge shall be encouraged.
10
Published by RAKSHA
►6- Research activities: RAKSHA shall conduct various research activities to generate baseline data in the concerned region and population. RAKSHA shall partner various international and national societies to conduct research activities. ►7- Hold trainings and conferences for health workers. RAKSHA shall hold conferences for Continuing Medical Education (CME) for Doctors. It shall also hold regular trainings and workshops to train health workers at all levels. Efforts will be made to inculcate a rights-based approach to health in all health workers. ►8- HIV project. The society shall conduct HIV related surveillance and educational activities. It shall liaise with the local representatives of NACO (National Aids Control Organization) and assist in all its aims. ►9- Miscellaneous. RAKSHA shall spare no efforts to achieve the W.H.O. goal of “Health for all" and the World Millennium Development goals. The society shall undertake proactive and reactive steps to realize this goal in the shortest possible period. RAKSHA shall submit regular quadrennial reports to the NGO section of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) of the ECOSOC and strive to obtain consultative status with the ECOSOC, particularly in the Special and Rooster categories. Activities in concert with various W.H.O programs shall be undertaken.
11
Published by RAKSHA
5. Employees: a. The society shall have Two (2) full time workers on reasonable pay. Computer proficiency is a must. The number of full time workers can be increased by the committee at a later date. Preference will be given to women, people with disabilities and marginalized sections. b. The committee shall hire professionals in various niche areas on project basis and for fixed terms as Project managers. The tenure and compensation for such consultants/ project managers shall be decided by a three-fifths majority in the committee. All details would be displayed on our soon to be launched website. c. These terms can be extended or changed by a three-fifths majority of the committee. d. The committee shall hire/take on other workers/volunteers as and when required for various projects. RAKSHA shall function on the principle of " No profit- No loss". 6. Fundsa. Most projects of the NGO would be "defined objective" driven. These projects would be mainly in the fields of health and knowledge and thus entails working in collaboration with different corporate, private, other NGOs and governmental institutions. Any funds required would be arranged from the concerned funding society or private donations. b. Many of the projects like Medical camps, trainings and workshops can also be run on self sustaining mechanisms in absence of charity. Local large private hospitals and concerned governmental authorities will be approached for such purposes. Efforts shall be made to encourage international support.
12
Published by RAKSHA
c. Proposals for knowledge and health related projects shall be conceptualized, planned and executed by RAKSHA with financial assistance from interested parties, governmental or otherwise. d. Various governmental (central and state) departments and institutions like NACO shall be approached for assistance. All activities of the society are transparent and shall be based on the principles of "No profit- No loss". 7. Accounts: a. The accounts of RAKSHA shall be audited each year by an independent auditor and yearly accounts statements shall be submitted to the relevant authorities. b. Relevant financial statements shall also be displayed on our website. c. All accounts of RAKSHA will be open for scrutiny after permission from the committee. d. Any unrelated business activity carried out by RAKSHA shall have separate accounts and will be audited as such.
8. Dissolution of Society a. The society may be dissolved at a time when supported by three-fifths majority of the MEMBERS and the CHAIRMAN of the managing committee. b. In such circumstances, all the assets of the society may be turned over to any suitable organization working in similar field of health and knowledge or as decided by the managing committee in the final meetings. c. The chairman of the managing committee shall enjoy office at the pleasure of three fifths majority of the committee. If the chair
13
Published by RAKSHA
is vacated at any time, fresh elections should be held within one month period. d. Amendments to this constitution requires a three fifth majority AND the vote of the chairman of then current committee. 9. Summary RAKSHA aims to be a self sustaining, transparent, democratic and promoter of Human rights. It shall strive to create new sustainable models of healthcare delivery mechanisms and promote knowledge for all in today’s Knowledge-based economy. Certified that this is the correct copy of the rules and regulations of the society• • • • • • • • Committee member #1 – Dr. Neelesh Bhandari, MD. Committee member #2 – Dr. Preeti Lodha, MD Committee member #3 – Mr. Rajendra singh Bhandari, ICWA Committee member #4 – Dr. Tanushree Mazumdar, Ph.D. Committee member #5 – Dr. Arti Mehta, Ph.D Committee member #6 – Ms. Kim Kothari Committee member #7 – Mrs. Aruna Lodha Committee member #8 – Dr. Rupal Lodha, Ph.D.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14