BOTSWANA TEACHERS UNION MEMBERS BURIAL BURIAL SOCIETY ( BOTUBS) DISCUSSES MOTIONS TO AMEND ITS CONSTITUTION
* Twenty two motions submitted
Botswana Teachers Union Members Burial Society ( BOTUBS) held a Special General Meeting in Palapye on Saturday whose main purpose was to consider and resolve on motions received for the amendment of its Constitution.
In her address BOTUBS Chairperson Ms. Tshepo More revealed that it was by order of the general
membership who attended BOTUBS AGM in Ghanzi on the 12 th of March 2022 that there should be BOTUBS Constitution Amendments. “The meeting passed a resolution that proposed amendments of the Constitution to be submitted, of which you did. I can now confirm today that twenty two submissions were received. It is upon this background that we called this Special General Meeting today.” More explained that the day's goal was to consider the effectiveness of the proposed amendments to their Society. She said Constitutional amendments entailed making changes to the existing one and that a thorough interrogation was carried out while crafting what the members submitted. She implored them to be consistent with the original objectives of the Society as set out in the Constitution per Article 16.1.3. Furthermore, she reminded them that the most significant mission of the entity must be kept in mind while discussing and adopting the proposed amendments. She advised that as they carry out the exercise they should be careful not to remove any provision which is required by the Society Act. She reminded them that the amendments will not effect until they are formally processed, approved and registered by the Registrar of Societies. The primary reason for BOTUBS' existence is to provide for the costs of the funeral on the death of a principal member or their dependents. BOTUBS intends to be a leading preferred Burial Society in the
Education sector.
For his part, Botswana Teachers Union President Gotlamang Oitsile explained that BOTUBS was one of the organs formed by BTU with the primary existence to provide for the cost of a funeral on the death of a member or the dependent of a member. “The existence of the Union's funeral scheme has over the years
provided members with an opportunity to effectively without fail, lay to rest their loved ones with dignity without financial stress. It should be noted that the scheme stood the test of time and showed its financial
strength during the COVID- 19 pandemic era when insured members and their dependents were perishing in large numbers. Credit therefore should be extended to everyone who is playing a role in the running and
management of this Society, including the members who on a monthly basis, ensure that their contributions are paid.” Oitsile explained that the Special General meeting was a special assignment which should be accorded the necessary attention befitting its stature. He reminded them that BOTUBS constitution is not just a mere document like any other. “It is a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which an organization is acknowledged to be governed. What should be in our minds is to have the best Constitution that will make it possible to grow the Union. This gathering should ensure that amendments to be made to the constitution will stand the test of time as the Society grows. To be avoided is a situation that will compel the Chairperson to call another meeting of this nature to look into the constitution something that will question our commitment and resolve to the existence of this Society.”
He called on for the members to strive to work together and contribute meaningfully to what they desire to achieve through the Society. “Let us make it a point that we have a document that will enable those tasked with the management of the Society, to perform given responsibilities without fail. Let us see the collective efforts towards this important exercise so that we have what we desired.”
In closing, he stressed that there is no animosity between BTU and its organs. “The leadership of BTU is always ready to work with its organs and appreciates what they do for the general membership. The leadership is not in any way nor had it came to its agenda to be involved in the operations of its organs now, not tomorrow and never shall we desire to think along these lines. What we wish for is to have a cordial and good working relationship with the Union organs, so that we share ideas and challenges in an endeavor to improve where it could be lacking for the benefit of the members.”
When giving closing remarks BOTUBS Executive Committee member Dorcas Sethoko called for women to stand and be recognized as potential capable leaders of the Union. “It is your time to be recognized. We want to see women contesting for the post of BTU President in the next BTU Elective Congress”.
Some motions discussed included duties of committee members and standing orders. The resolution reached was that the motions which were supposed to go for voting that day should be amended by incorporating the deliberations suggested by the members. After the amendments have been done, voting will be conducted in the next BOTUBS Annual General Meeting.