INTERIM CONSTITUTION OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICA MEDIA TRAINERS NETWORK

ONLINE AT: HTTP://JOURN.RU.AC.ZA/STAFF/GUY/SADC/

Vision

 

1. The vision of the Southern Africa Media Trainers Network (SAMTRAN) is to achieve high quality media training that responds to the needs of society, media organisations and practitioners; helps to build free, fair, and vibrant media as well as a strong regional identity.

 

Mission

 

2. This will be achieved through:

q    Developing and sustaining an inclusive regional network of trainers with agreed values.

q    Creating and maintaining a database of media trainers and training institutes and courses on offer in the region.

q    Encouraging and facilitating the production and distribution of regional study materials for media.

q    Identifying partnerships for innovative regional pilot projects.

q    Developing collaborative initiatives on curricula and training methodologies.

q    Developing and coordinating relevant continuous learning for trainers.

q    Facilitating the sharing and publication of best practices.

q    Generating and monitoring standards for media training in the region.

 

Values

 

3. Members of the network subscribe to the following values:

q    Freedom of expression.

q    Media freedom.

q    The importance of probing, critical media with the highest ethical and professional standards that entrench democracy and safeguard human rights.

q    The right of all citizens to access information.

q    The importance of both media entrepreneurs and community media.

q    Equality of all persons regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or any other distinguishing factor.

q    Commitment to building Southern Africa into a strong, democratic, economically vibrant and coherent regional entity.

 

 

Membership

 

4. Membership is open to all media trainers at both individual and institutional level. The following specific institutions/persons are eligible for membership:

q    Tertiary institutions.

q    In service trainers

q    NGOs

q    Community media.

q    In- house training departments of media institutions

q    Commercial media training institutions.

q    National media training associations and networks.

q    Independent, freelance trainers.

 

5. Membership of the SAMTRAN is by annual subscription.

 

6. Members may be deprived of their membership through a two- thirds vote of the AGM for:

q    Failing to pay their fees;

q    Failing to subscribe to the values of the SAMTRAN;

q    Non participation;

q    Incapacitation;

q    Change of occupation.

 

7. Participants at the Southern African Media Trainers Seminar held in Grahamstown from 8-9 September 2001 constitute the founding members of the SAMTRAN. They have until 31 March 2002 to pay their membership dues, if they wish to remain members of the SAMTRAN.

 

8. Membership shall be approved by the Interim Steering Committee (ISC) subject to final approval by the AGM.

 

9. The ISC shall determine membership fees based on the following principles:

q    Two tier rates for individuals and institutions.

q    Sensitivity to exchange rates and other difficulties that potential members might face in joining the network.

 

10. An Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held by September 2002. It shall review among other things the Interim Constitution and agree on a Constitution for the network.

 

11. As far as possible, AGMs shall be held in tandem with regional events of relevance to SADC trainers and include a training/capacity building/ information- sharing component.

 

Interim Steering Committee (ISC)

 

12. The founding members shall elect an ISC. This will consist of one representative and one alternative representative of each of the following interest groups, with due regard to ensuring regional, gender and other forms of diversity:

q    Universities.

q    Technikons.

q    In-service training institutions.

q    NGOs.

q    Commercial training institutions.

q    Independent trainers.

q    The host institution.

 

13. The ISC shall meet twice before the AGM.

 

14. The ISC shall be chaired and convened by senior management of the host institution.

 

15. The functions of the ISC shall be:

q    To serve as the working committee of the members

q    Act as an advisory body to the Coordinator of SAMTRAN.

q    Advocate and lobby for the SAMTRAN.

q    Undertake a membership drive.

q    Approve membership.

q    Oversee the implementation of the Plan of Action (POA).

q    Assist the host institution to fundraise on behalf of the SAMTRAN.

 

Sub committees

 

16. Sub- committees shall initially be formed around the different types of training represented by the ISC. The ISC shall decide on the operation of these sub- committees during the first year of the SAMTRAN.

 

17. Theme sub- committees shall be developed around the POA as the need arises.

 

Secretariat

18. The Secretariat of the SAMTRAN shall be based in an existing training institution. Initially this shall be the NSJ. The location of the Secretariat is subject to review by the AGM from time to time.

 

19. Staffing shall be determined by the host institution, and approved by the ISC, consistent with work- load and resources.

 

Sustainability

20. Funds from membership fees and services shall, as far as possible, cover the core costs of running the SAMTRAN.

 

21. Donor resources shall be sought for the initial hiring of a coordinator, creation of data- bases and other immediate activities envisaged under the POA, as well as ongoing programmatic work.

 

Grahamstown, 9 September 2001