By-Laws

OF THE SOOL, SANAAG AND CAYN (SSC) LEGAL ADVISORY COUNCIL INC.

Article One: Name and Purpose

The official name of the Organization shall be the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn Legal Advisory Council Inc. (“SSC Legal Advisory Council” or hereinafter “SSC LAC” or the Organization). SSC LAC is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization whose objectives are as follows:

Promote the advancement of Somali and SSC lawyers and law students in the legal profession and their cooperation worldwide.
Provide a forum for professional networking, development, mentoring, training and education for Somali and SSC lawyers and legal professionals around the world.
Promote and support state observance of human rights of individuals and groups under international law.
Monitor and document human rights violations committed in Somalia and/or SSC region and assist in holding violators of human rights accountable and bring them to justice.
Observe and assist SSC Khaatumo administration with the establishment and strengthening of state legal systems and law an order.

Article Two: Services

SSC LAC is a not-for-profit organization. However, the Organization may charge for legal services at a rate that is significantly or at least 85% below “market” cost for similar services. Such fees shall only be used to cover the cost of SSC LAC administrative and other organizational programs that are necessary for the functioning and self-sufficiency of the organization.

Article Three: Governing Board and Executive Officers

SSC LAC shall have a Board of Directors (hereinafter “the Board”) consisting of a minimum of three (3) members and maximum of seven (7) members.
At the time that these Bylaws take effect, SSC LAC shall have an interim Board of Directors consisting of five (5) members. The interim Board’s term shall come to an end no later than one (1) year from the date of signature of the Bylaws, at which time a new regular Board shall be elected.
Members of the BOD shall be elected by the general members of the Organization in a meeting specifically scheduled for that purpose in writing with the agreement of a majority of the members of the current Board.
When electing new Board members sufficient efforts must be made to recruit female board members, must include at least one member from Somalia, and others representing different geographic locations, such as Europe, United States, and the Middle East, depending on the size of SSC community in that location.
Among the BOD’s duties is to prepare and present the organization’s budget to the general membership for approval.
Board members must elect amongst themselves by simple majority the following officers Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.
SSC LAC should also have executive officers appointed by the Board. Executive officers may be appointed for a specific term and be paid, and are responsible for managing and executing the Organization’s services and activities.
The Board is responsible for ensuring prudent use of all of the Organization’s assets, including facility, people, and goodwill.
The Board is also responsible for ensuring that the Organization’s activities and transactions are advancing its mission, and making decisions that are in the best interest of the Organization and not in the best interest of any individual, Board member or member.

Article Four: Membership

The SSCLAC shall be comprised of members invited and appointed by way of mutual consent. Members are appointed on a voluntary basis and thus are unpaid. All members have equal voting rights and can only join the SSCLAC if invited by the Chairperson and approved by a simple majority of board members. The membership will be reviewed on annual basis, usually at the start of each new year.

Article Five: Meetings

Unless invited to participate, all meetings of the SSCLAC are to be held in private. Members and guests invited to speak must seek permission to use any information shared in the meetings.
Meetings shall be held at the times and places specified by the SSC Advisory Council; provided, that at least two (2) meetings shall be held each month. The exact number of meetings will be determined by the anticipated workload of the SSC Advisory Group as well as the urgency or importance of the matter to be discussed.
The Chairperson shall endeavour to limit regular meetings to approximately two (2) hours. In his or her discretion, the Chairperson may limit the number of, and allocate time for guests to contribute in order to adhere to the meeting duration.
In order to encourage cross border participation, members may participate by video conference, telephone conference, or other any other commonly used and conveniently accessible electronic means.

Article Six: Officer Responsibilities

The SSC LAC’s secretariat shall be responsible for the development of the agenda and to chair all meetings. The secretariate is formed by the following officials: the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, General Secretary and Treasurer.
All SSC LAC officers shall be elected by simple majority of the present members in a meeting specifically scheduled for the purpose of electing one or more of the officers. Such meeting shall be agreed on by a simple majority of the Board of Directors and publicly announced to the general membership in a forum accessible to the members at least two weeks (14 days) prior to the meeting.
The Chairperson may establish committees or subcommittees when necessary to accomplish a particular goal. One such example is the SSC Advisory Council’s secretariate committee set up to ensure that the Council runs in a seamless fashion.
The Chairperson, or another member when so delegated by the Chairperson, shall sign off on any official correspondence/communique necessary carry out the functions of the Council.
Due to the nature of the Council’s remit, the Vice Chairperson, in the absence of the Chairperson, shall preside at all meetings of the Advisory Council.

Article Seven: Member Responsibilities

Each member is expected to attend meetings and to participate in Advisory Council activities.
Each member is expected to study the issues or problems which come before the Advisory Council in order to make a meaningful contribution to the Advisory Council’s work.

Article Eight: Agenda, Order of Business, and Voting

Agendas for all regular meetings of the Advisory Council shall be prepared by the Secretariate, taking into consideration the recommendations of the members.
The Secretariate will circulate a proposed agenda in good time before each meeting. Any member may propose agenda items.
The Secretariate will circulate a proposed agenda in good time before each meeting. Any member may propose agenda items.
1. Introductions
2. Consideration of each agenda item
3. Old Business
4. New Business
5. Public Comment
6. Any other business
A majority of the appointed members constitutes a quorum for the convening of a meeting. However, if urgent matters arise and with the consent of the majority, a small number of members can meet to convene a meeting.
The previous meeting minutes will be circulated before each meeting, it is expected that members will not share meetings widely without the express consent of the Chairperson. The minutes are confidential.
Guidelines on how the Advisory Council will manage its finances, including budgeting, fundraising, and the handling of donation will not be addressed in this by-law. A separate policy covers this.

Article Nine: Adoption and amendment of by-laws

These Bylaws shall be adopted by a majority of the SSC LAC as voting membership present.
Amendments to the Bylaws maybe proposed in writing by at least one third (51%) of the general members;
Any amendment must be approved by a majority of the voting members present at a meeting; and,
Proposed Amendments to the Bylaws shall be distributed to the membership prior to a vote.

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