# data[].attributes.headline
       GOVERNMENT COLLEGE LAGOS OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION

# data[].attributes.subject
       GOVERNMENT COLLEGE LAGOS OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION

# data[].attributes.body
GCLOBA

# data[].attributes.headline
                                             INTRODUCTION

# data[].attributes.subject
                                             INTRODUCTION

# data[].attributes.body
The following are presented below:

1].        A short write-up on the fundamental matters, considerations and             issues to bear in mind in carrying out the Constitutional Review.

2].       Suggested STRATEGY for GIC to adopt in achieving the Constitutional  Review, with a view to achieving an expedient, effective and all-round result-  oriented completion of the Constitutional Review. This strategy is called: "GIC- Produced GCLOBA Template Constitution For Comments, Suggestions, Additions, Subtractions and Constructive Criticisms".

3].       Production of a "GIC-Produced GCLOBA Template Constitution For    Comments, Suggestions, Additions, Subtractions and Constructive    Criticisms".

# data[].attributes.headline
1].	A WRITE-UP ON THE FUNDAMENTAL MATTERS, CONSIDERATIONS AND ISSUES TO BEAR IN MIND IN CARRYING OUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW.    

# data[].attributes.subject
1].	A WRITE-UP ON THE FUNDAMENTAL MATTERS, CONSIDERATIONS AND ISSUES TO BEAR IN MIND IN CARRYING OUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW.    

# data[].attributes.body
So GCLOBA is interested in amending its current GCLOBA Constitution, perhaps with view to correcting some mistakes of the past, making provision for identified lapses , or the like,  in having a fresh start as far as processes, operation provisions, etc are concerned with regard to an Alumni Association.

The key purpose of an alumni association is to foster a spirit of brotherhood, togetherness, friendship, love and unity amongst the alumni and to promote the development, growth and general welfare of parent organization, in this case Government College, Lagos .

Alumni Associations generally exist to support the parent organization’s goals, and to strengthen the ties between alumni, the community, and the parent organization.

What are the Initial Requirements to re-activate an Alumni Association, through Constitutional Review?

There are two identified considerations in this regard. The review should ponder on and ensure the Constitution provides for them sufficiently and adequately. These are:

The enthusiasm and willingness of several individuals who are willing to take on GCLOBA initiative and sustain it.

The interest of a reasonable nucleus of alumni, and associates, friends, bodies: [both from the public and private sectors, etc.] to participate in GCLOBA’s activities.

Who Should Take on the Leadership Role of an Alumni Association?

Matters relating to who takes up leadership of an alumni is of the utmost importance. Wrong leadership can lead to destroying the alumni association, destroying long term school friendships, cause disharmony in relations between members of the association in general, be counter-productive to the progress and development of the parent body and so on.

It is imperative that there are adequate Constitutional provisions with respect to expectations in taking up the leadership role in GCLOBA. In addition to being an alumnus of the organization therefore, the Constitution should picture the leader of GCLOBA as having the following characteristics, to contest for the leadership role and provide to that effect accordingly:

Willingness to work with Government College Lagos [hereinafter referred to as "GCL"].

Willingness to contribute time.

Enthusiasm.

Maturity, showing the ability and deep qualities to lead with discipline, brotherhood and friendship.

Some kind of past successful and emulative leadership experience.

Humility.

Honesty.

Ability to motivate and engage alumni.

Ability to run and manage his Executive Committee [EXCO] in unity, togetherness and without damaging division, which may affect their operations, and thereby spill over to forestalling the progress, development and welfare of GCL generally.

Perhaps, the Constitution can be innovative and proactive by providing for GCLOBA Development and Alumni Relations Office, Forum or Committee, with the designated duty to screen candidates, assessing their suitability to rule, before being given the bill of good health to contest for the leadership role in GCLOBA.

Alternatively, the Constitution may provide for a simple "pre-election primaries" like political parties have, but not too tedious and detailed. It appears the former suggestion may be more appropriate.

Proposed Organizational Structure for Alumni Associations
Proposed Practical, Effective and Operational Organizational Structure for Formal Associations is an important factor also in achieving re-structuring under a Constitutional Review Exercise.

Under such review, the reviewing body, in this instance GIC-GCLOBA has a keen duty to give deep consideration to past antecedents in the running of GCLOBA in order to identify defects, lacuna, shortcomings, impracticabilities in the current structures, with a view to promote and/or ensure the emergence of a more viable, practical and effective re-structuring. The winning strategy here is that all structures laid down must be workable, with provision made for them all to work simultaneously in achieving the goals and aspirations of GCLOBA with precision and expediency.

Strategic Steps to have in mind in restructuring an Alumni Association, [in this case, GCLOBA] under a Constitutional Review Exercise.
Step 1 –

As GIC General Secretary, develop an expedient firstly unannounced "Plan B" review exercise, [to be announced and directed by GIC, through the GIC Gen Secretariat, to be adopted outside the Timeline disclosed processes in a bid to achieve the Constitutional Review Goal expedient, once GCLOBA members are causing a delay in the strict compliance with the timeline, which may affect GIC's delivery.

Form a small inner Experienced, Trusted and Tested GIC-Support Interest Group of mature GCLOBA members, who truly and keenly have deep interests in the success of GCLOBA, and the development of GCL, sifting those who people have observed in the history of Alumni Associations and its existence, join their Alumni for reasons not associated with any interests in the Alumni or the development of the school.

Meet informally with the Inner Group.

Work with the Group effectively, but be objective and avoid the consideration of personal interests that may still perhaps ensue. - Human beings will always be human.

Step 2 – Getting Organized.
The GIC Secretariat may promote and advocate for the convening of meeting with the BOT-GCLOBA and/or the Inner Group to agree on basic restructuring and review areas in the current Constitution, [without prejudice to the class sets memorandum], that ought to be considered as a matter of priority.

Such step would set out to identify new areas, [having reviewed past, events, activities and the like based on the Constitution that at most times resulted in  set backs, or raised adverse situations], in the Constitution that require urgent attention for review and amendment to addressing these adverse outcomes.

These may include the following:

A review of the general concepts and goals of GCLOBA.

Outlining the inclusion of what may be described as GCLOBA's progressive and innovative functions, in giving GCLOBA a new outward look...

·         A. Communication (newsletters, mailings, directories, etc.)

·         B. Activities.

·         C. Fund raising.

·         D. Scholarships and fellowships.

Identifying short and long term needs.

Establishing projected expenditures and dues structure.

Including By-Laws or organizational outline as part of the Constitution as indicated in more details below.

Step 3 – Prepare By-Laws.
The drafting of GCLOBA Constitutional By-Law as an integral part of the new Constitution for adoption is another winning strategy in achieving an all-encompassing Constitution amendment.

Outline of GCLOBA By-Laws may provide for full details on the following:

Objectives.

Membership.

Officers; duties and powers of officers.

Regular committees; duties and functions of committees.

Meetings and programmes; general timing of meetings.

Dues; members to association, control of funds.

Scholarship and fellowship funds, control and operation.

Communication – regular; content and timing of newsletters.

Major activities and work projects; chapter assistance, social functions, traditionally-sponsored events.

Step 4- Constitutional Review should take into consideration the participation of the parent body, relevant State Government Parastatals and Officials, the Governor and Government of Lagos State...
GCL is indeed a Lagos State Government School. It is therefore a winning strategy in guaranteeing much more State Government participation, with a view to aiding the achievements, aims, goals, initiatives, channelled towards the development, progress and welfare of GCL, with precision and expediency, to include amendments in this new Constitution giving SPECIFIC CONSTITUTIONAL ROLES to  GCL, GCL officials, relevant State Government Parastatals and their Officials associated with GCL and/or with designated duties and responsibilities to oversee GCL, [District Education Bodies and the District Education Officials], Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Lagos State Governor,Lagos State Government and other relevant and identified Public and Private Sector bodies,

Step 5 – The New Membership Drive/Orientation of Existing GCLOBA Members Strategy
A launch event of the New Constitution should be organised, after the Constitution takes effect, with broad appeal to attract as many alumni as possible. This would promote new membership drive, orientation of existing GCLOBA members, create the atmosphere of a new dawn, a new awakening for GCLOBA, promote a rebuilding of trust, confidence, brotherhood, friendship, feeling of belonging, within GCLOBA, sending the signal of a progressive and better GCLOBA in the eyes of GCL, the relevant State Government parastatals and attendant officials, and even the State Government, the public and private sectors, and so on.

Step 6 – Financing and other financial matters.
The question of financing and financial related matters can be a major obstacle or  create problem for Alumni/Alumnae Association.

Finally, on financing, generally, finances for an Alumni/Alumnae Association can be provided in four different ways:

By an annual dues programme for Association members.

By contributions received by alums for a specific Association programme.

By a combination of the above methods.

Donations.

Other financial considerations:

Capital Fund Raising Campaigns

Association-Sponsored Scholarships

On the issue of other financial matters, accountability is of the utmost importance. The new Constitution of GCLOBA must provide for stringent and formidable accountability processes, which must be adhered to strictly.

It is pertinent to note that once accountability becomes an issue within an Alumni association, this gives rise to TRUST issues, which may destroy the foundation and/or fabric of the Association.

And Don’t Forget . . . Constitutional provisions for:

Communications:

Newsletters

Association Directory

Web:  online alumni community, social networks (e.g. Facebook, Twitter), e-mail blasting

The Constitution or the By-Laws must also endeavour to make specific provisions for:

Record keeping:

To keep accurate records.

Maintain a database of alumni names, addresses, contact details, and the like.

The Constitution or the By-Laws should set out to include specific provisions for:

Events:

Periodical Luncheons/Dinners, thereby promoting brotherhood/friendship, etc.

Special occasions (Homecoming, Founders Day, etc.).

Other outings (chapter work day, philanthropies, holiday receptions, etc.).

Eliminate Misconceptions

“I used to be a _______.” (membership should be tailored not to expire once you become an Old Boy! – it’s designed to last a lifetime).

“I don’t have time.” (we’re all volunteers).

“I won’t know anybody.” (members from other eras can help by welcoming newcomers).

“All they want is my money.” (the main effort needs to show that money’s not the primary concern).

# data[].attributes.headline
2].	SUGGESTED STRATEGY FOR GIC TO ADOPT IN ACHIEVING THE CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW, WITH A VIEW TO ACHIEVING AN EXPEDIENT, EFFECTIVE AND ALL-ROUND RESULT-	ORIENTED COMPLETION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW. THIS STRATEGY IS CALLED "THE GIC-PRODUCED GCLOBA TEMPLATE CONSTITUTION FOR COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, ADDITIONS, SUBTRACTIONS AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISMS:       [a] Amendment of the GCLOBA Constitution: Considerations & Implications.                                                                                             [b] "The GIC Produced GCLOBA Template Constitution for Comments, Suggestions, Additions, Subtractions, and Constructive Criticism"

# data[].attributes.subject
2].	SUGGESTED STRATEGY FOR GIC TO ADOPT IN ACHIEVING THE CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW, WITH A VIEW TO ACHIEVING AN EXPEDIENT, EFFECTIVE AND ALL-ROUND RESULT-	ORIENTED COMPLETION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW. THIS STRATEGY IS CALLED "THE GIC-PRODUCED GCLOBA TEMPLATE CONSTITUTION FOR COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, ADDITIONS, SUBTRACTIONS AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISMS:       [a] Amendment of the GCLOBA Constitution: Considerations & Implications.                                                                                             [b] "The GIC Produced GCLOBA Template Constitution for Comments, Suggestions, Additions, Subtractions, and Constructive Criticism"

# data[].attributes.body
ADDRESSING [a]:
[a] Amendment of the GCLOBA Constitution: Considerations & Implications.

GCLOBA is indeed at a critical point in its development. A new dawn is about to take place in GCLOBA, through its current step to amend its Constitution.

No part of a Constitution is more important than the rules that govern its amendment. Given the important functions served by formal constitutional amendment rules, we might expect constitutional designers to entrench them against ordinary amendment, for instance by requiring a higher-than-usual quantum of agreement for their amendment or by making them altogether unamendable.

Under the current CGCLOBA Constitution, which is still in effect, Section 22 provides as follows:

"Section 22: AMENDMENTS
Any provision of this Constitution otherwise than Section 20 and 21 thereof may be amended by a two-third (2/3) majority vote of bonafide members present.
Any proposal for amendment of this Constitution shall be sent to the National Secretary-General so as to reach him not later than two (2) months before the date of the AGM, which such a proposal shall be by a bonafide financial members of the association and seconded by not fewer than thirty (30) members of the association.
Upon satisfying (2) above, a motion shall be tabled, debated and passed at the Annual General Meeting.
A motion in respect of the amendment shall not be passed unless two third (2/3) of members present vote in favour of such motion."

Sections 20 and 21 of the GCLOBA Constitution in respect of which provisions, amendment restrictions have been placed upon, as elucidated above, stipulates as follows:

"Section 20: HONORARY MEMBERS AND PATRONS
There shall be appointed as honorary members and patron of the Association, persons who by reason of their contribution to the development of the College and the Nigeria Society, as may as deem fit by the NEC.
The NEC shall review the list of honorary members and patron annually."

"Section 21: TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF GOVERNING BOARD
At the Annual General Meeting, four (4) members of the Association shall be elected trustees and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Association. All properties of the Association shall be vested in the trustees.
The National President and the National Secretary-General of the Association shall be appointed to represent the Association annually on the College’s Governing Board and they shall resign at the next AGM unless they are re-elected as President or Secretary-General."

Permit me to make the following points:

1. In this Constitutional Review and Amendment Exercise, due to the amendment restrictions placed on Sections 20 [relating to the appointment of Honorary Members and Patrons of GCLOBA], and Section 21 [relating to GCLOBA Trustees and Members of Governing Board], of the GCLOBA Constitution 2004, these two Sections cannot be the subject of amendments, and therefore cannot be governed by amendment rules stipulated in Section 22 of the Constitution.

2. It is noted that the Timeline agenda for 18th October 2020 listed as [J] states as follows:

"Holding of an EXTRA ORDINARY MEETING of the GCLOBA to pass THE FORMAL  SUSPENSION OF OLD GCLOBA CONSTITUTION followed by the FORMAL ADOPTION OF NEW CONSTITUTION" [Highlighting Mine!].

Permit me to offer a technical correction here! The Constitution being amended is the current GCLOBA Constitution of 15th April 2004. The amendment made is upon this same document. The effect of amending a Constitution is not to create or drafting an entirely new and fresh Constitution, as if the Association is being registered a new. It is still the old document, that is now taking a new shape.

In other words, the GCLOBA New Constitution would for instance be technically referred to as "The Constitution of Government College Old Boys Association 2004 as amended in 2020.

TO THIS END, THE 2004 CONSTITUTION CANNOT TECHNICALLY BE A SUBJECT OF SUSPENSION. If it is suspended, the New Consitution has nothing to STAND ON!!!

I would therefore humbly propose the use of the word "SUSPENSION" in the timeline be expunged accordingly.

# data[].attributes.body
[b] THE GIC PRODUCED "GCLOBA TEMPLATE CONSTITUTION FOR     COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, ADDITIONS, SUBTRACTIONS AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISMS"- A Proposed Strategic Plan by GSS: A Bold Leap Towards Achieving The GIC-GCLOBA Constitution Review and Amendment Mandate Expeditiously.

GSS has embarked on and completed a deep research on various Constitutions of Alumni Associations and hereby propose the following strategies:

1. Preparing an amended draft GCLOBA Constitution, with a draft GCLOBA By-Laws attached thereto.

2. GSS would produce the aforementioned amended draft Constitution and draft GCLOBA By-Law [attached] in its full texts as a Template, taking into consideration the outcome of the GSS research mentioned herein.

3. The draft documents as TEMPLATES would to be submitted to GIC General Secretary before the end of the day, on Tuesday, 28th July 2020.

4. The produced TEMPLATE can then be circulated to GCLOBA members in the manner considered most effective by the GIC General Secretary, inviting the comments, suggestions, additions, subtractions and constructive criticism thereon.

# data[].attributes.headline
                        GENERAL SECRETARIAT SERVICES

# data[].attributes.subject
                        GENERAL SECRETARIAT SERVICES

# data[].attributes.body
Funmi Otufolarin

General Secretariat Service
[Public & International Affairs: Specialties In The French                                                      Language & Cultural Affairs]

Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria.

Tel:
0903 891 5796

Email:
generalsecretariatotufolarin1@gmail.com