CONSTITUTION
OF
THE GLOBAL ORGANIZATION
OF PEOPLE OF INDIAN ORIGIN (GOPIO)
1. NAME AND
PURPOSE: The Global Organization of People of Indian origin (abbreviated as
GOPIO) is a nonpartisan, non-sectarian global organization engaged in prompting
wellbeing of non resident Indians and people of Indian origin enhancing
cooperation and communication between groups of Indians living in different
countries and in furthering their cooperation with
2. OBJECTIVES:
Within the above overall purpose the Global Organization of People of Indian
Origin (GOPIO) will have the following specific objectives:
(a) To promote
legitimate interests of the Indian community as a whole and of specific groups
resident in particular countries.
(b) To help the
Indian communities in different countries to promote legitimate secular and
developmental interests of the countries in which they are resident.
(c) To promote
the common cultural heritage of
(d) To mobilize
professional, financial. and intellectual resources of the community of Indians
abroad for their mutual advancement and for the development of their country of
origin.
(e) To organize
interaction between communities of Indians abroad on a global level to
deliberate and decide on common issues and problems facing them, including
education and technology.
(f) To provide a
forum at periodical intervals to discuss, debate and decide on common problems
and issues facing groups of Indians abroad and initiate measures to redress
their grievances.
(g) To disseminate
regularly information on global, regional and national developments affecting
Indian community abroad as a whole or substantial parts thereof.
(h) To further
the interaction between Indian people and other communities at global level in
promoting world peace, progress and ecological harmony.
(i) To develop
channels of communication between groups of Indians resident in different
countries and between them and
(j) To raise
funds through contributions and other means on regular basis and at special
occasions for promoting social and cultural activities at a global level as
well for the relief and rehabilitation of groups of Indians affected by natural
and other calamities.
(k) To
constitute Think Tanks and Task Forces of Indians abroad on particular issues
of interest to the Global organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) or to
India.
3. DIRECTIVE
PRINCIPLES PERMEATING GOPIO: The directive principles which should permeate all
structures and work of the GOPIO are:
(a) GOPIO
should address problems and issues of the community and refrain from
involvement with individual complaints.
(b) No one
country should dominate the decision-making in GOPIO and organizations of
people of Indian origin in all countries should be provided access to bring
common problems and issues before the GOPIO.
(c) Philosophy
of participation and democratic decision-making should pervade GOPIO.
(d) There is a
need for flexibility and an experimental approach in view of different status
of development of organizations of Indians in various countries.
(e) GOPIO
organizational structure should encourage widest participation while ensuring
responsible decision-making by as representative institutions as possible.
(f) The
principles of GOPIO shall be applied uniformly and universally.
(g) Books and
financial records of GOPIO shall be made available to all members of GOPIO,
upon request who will be required to bear photocopying and postal expenses.
(h) GOPIO should promote the creation of GOPIO national chapter in each country in which people of Indian origin are residing. The membership of GOPIO national chapter should be open to GOPIO chapters and qualified organizations of people of Indian origin. Details about GOPIO national chapter are given in Appendix II.
4. ACTIVITIES OF
GOPIO: In realization of objectives of GOPIO, GOPIO will engage in the
following types of activities:
a. Conducting
campaigns in newspapers and other media to focus attention on specific problems
affecting community of Indians abroad.
b. Act as a
lobby, pressure group in support of cause of people of Indian origin.
c. Undertake
regular and periodical publication activity.
d. Raise funds
for specific activities of GOPIO.
e. Undertake
studies or commission studies on specific problems and issues affecting Indians
abroad.
f. Act as a
liaison between groups of Indians in specific countries and national
governments, Government of India and international organizations in realization
of the objectives of GOPIO.
5. GOPIO will
have the following three tier structure:
(a) Global
Convention
(b) General
Council
(c) Executive
Committee
For specific
activities, there will also be a Human Rights Council, a Business Council, a Cultural Council, an Academic
Council, a Philanthropic Council, a Health Services Council, a Youth Council, a
Women’s Council and an International Advisory Council, a Credentials Committee
and the Secretariat.
5.A. GLOBAL
CONVENTION: GOPIO will organize once in
two years a Global Convention of People of Indian Origin, at a place and
time decided by the Executive Committee in consultation with the Chairman of
GOPIO.
5.B.1. General
Council or Executive Council: The General Council will be the main policymaking
body of GOPIO. It is the organ which will elect the President, Vice Presidents
and members of the Executive Committee from amongst its membership. It will
also ratify the recommendations of the Executive Committee for the Secretary
General, members of the credentials Committee, International Advisory Council
and the chairpersons of other Councils .
5.B.2. General Council
meeting will be chaired be the Chairman. The Council will discuss and approve
annual budget and accounts prepared by the Executive Committee.
5.B.3. It will
be responsible for giving shape to the guidelines given by the Global
Convention and will direct the executive committee to take appropriate action
to implement various resolutions passed by the Convention.
5.B.4. It will
meet as and when decided by the Executive Committee in consultation with the
Chairman of the General Council.
To qualify for
representation in the Executive council, a GOPIO national organization and
GOPIO chapters should be non-profit making, non-partisan and non- sectarian. It
should be registered or incorporated. It should subscribe to the objectives and
principles of GOPIO. It should have a written constitution and follow GOPIO
Chapter initiative documents. It should have completed one year of existence at
the time of application. The formula for representation is given in Appendix
No.II. In case of a country which does not have a GOPIO chapter or a national
organization, the General Council, on the recommendations of the Credentials
Committee will nominate a particular association or an individual to represent
the interest of the PIO community in that country. Such nominated
representatives will not have the right to vote.
5.C. EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE: Will be responsible for the ongoing work of GOPIO between the
meetings of Executive Council. It will execute all decisions of the Executive
Council and prepare all meetings of the Executive Council.
5.C.1. EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE will consist of the President, Executive Vice-President and nine vice
presidents, one for each of the following 9 regions:
Central and
The
5.C.2. The
chairman will be ex-officio member of the Executive Committee.
5.C.3. All the members of the Executive Committee including the office bearers will be elected as per the bylaws and by the General Council from amongst its membership. However the candidate for the position of president must have held a position at the international level for at least one full term.
5.C.4. The
term of the committee and other office bearers will be for a period of 2 years but the members will continue to
hold their offices until new ones are elected to replace them.
5.C.5. Individuals
cannot be re-elected to the same position more than twice and in the
composition of the Executive committee, no one participating country will have more
than two positions.
5.C.6. The
Executive Committee will report to the General Council and to the Global
Convention on the activities of GOPIO, provide guidance to the
Secretary-General and other staff of the GOPIO. It will meet at least once a
year at a place and time to be decided by itself.
5.C.7. It will
prepare annual budgets and accounts and present to the Executive Council for
approval.
5.D.1 CHAIRMAN
will be the head of the organization. He/she will preside over the meetings of
the Global Convention, General Council and the International Advisory Council.
He/she will provide overall leadership to GOPIO Conventions and the General
Council and help the Executive Committee in convening GOPIO Conventions and
meetings of the General Council. He/she will be an ex-officio member of the
Executive Committee. He/she will be consulted by the President of GOPIO on all
important matters.
5.D.2. To
ensure stability and continuity within the organization, the outgoing immediate
past president shall become the new chairman with endorsement from the Council.
5.D.3 PRESIDENT
will be the Chief Executive Officer of the organization. He/she will be
responsible for planning and execution of programs and activities of GOPIO and
liaison with other organizations engaged in similar activities. He/she will
present state of the organization reports to the General Council. He/she will
represent the GOPIO to the third parties in accordance with GOPIO policies.
He/she will lead all deputations and delegations of which he/she is a member.
In the absence of the chairman he/she will preside over the meetings of the
Global Convention and/or General Council. He/she will consult the Chairman on
all important matters and keep the Chairman fully informed about the activities
of GOPIO. The candidate for the position of president must have served
for at least one full term in the Executive Committee, as Secretary General or
International Coordinator or GOPIO Council Chairperson. (Council co-chair is
not same as chair).
5.D.4 EXECUTIVE
VICE PRESIDENT will perform all functions of the President in his/her absence.
He/she will be responsible for preparing and presenting financial reports to
the meetings of the Executive Committee and General Council. He/she will assist
the President in raising funds for GOPIO.
5.D.5 REGIONAL
VICE-PRESIDENTS are elected by the delegates in the region provided there are
ten chapters in “good standing”.
5.D.6. GOPIO International, if there are ten or more chapters in a region, shall seek email recommendations from eligible chapter delegates and life members of the region for the position of Vice President for the region. A regional coordinator, a country coordinator, a life member or a delegate of a chapter shall qualify for the position. Any person, who gets majority of the recommendations with a minimum of 50% of the qualified life members and delegates, shall become the recommendee for the position of regional vice president. The Executive Committee will accept recommendation or if there is no recommendation, shall appoint a qualified person as Vice-President of the region.
5.D.7
If there are fewer than 10 chapters, GOPIO International shall appoint Regional
coordinator for the region in consultation with the chapters, if any.
5.D.8 GOPIO International, if there are ten or more chapters in a country, shall seek email recommendations from eligible chapter delegates and life members in the country for the position of Country/National Coordinator . A life member or a delegate of a chapter shall qualify for the position. Any person who gets majority of the recommendations with a minimum of 50% of the qualified life members and delegates, shall become the recommended for the position of country coordinator. The Executive Committee will accept recommendation or if there is no recommendation, shall appoint a qualified person as country coordinator.
5.E.1.
SECRETARY-GENERAL(s) will carry on GOPIO work on a day to day basis under the
guidance of the Chairman and the President of GOPIO. He/she will also be the Secretary
of the Executive Committee.
5.E.2. He/she
will be responsible for communications with members of the Executive Committee
and with others interested in the activities of the GOPIO. He/she will also be
required to give shape to the decisions of the Global Convention and General Council,
report periodically on the activities of the GOPIO and assist the President,
Vice-Presidents and others in realization of the objectives of the GOPIO.
5.E.3. The
Secretary-General(s) will be appointed by the Executive Committee in
consultation with the Chairman for a period of 2 years. Appointment can be
renewed for one more term.
5.E.4. International Coordinator or Regional
Coordinators will be appointed by the President at the recommendations of the
Executive Committee for a period of 2 years.
Appointment can be renewed for one more term. President may give specific tasks
to these coordinators and in particular for initiating new GOPIO chapters.
5.F ELECTION
COMMITTEE AND ELECTION PROCEDURE
2. The Executive Committee shall appoint a nomination/election committee consisting of three members of the General Council and/or past Presidents who are not themselves candidates for any elective position for the current election or from among any other individuals of outstanding merit. These three members shall elect a chairperson of the committee.
10. The Nominating Committee shall announce the names of nominees at least 20 days prior to the biennial election.
13. The person receiving the majority of votes for a designated position shall be declared winner. However, in terms of President and Executive Vice President, the persons can not be from the same country or a region. Therefore, if both President and Executive VP candidates elected are from the same region, the Election Commission will invalidate the election of the Executive Vice President and the person getting the next highest votes from another region will be declared as elected.
14. In the event no candidate receives majority vote, the top two candidates shall face a run-off election on the same day.
15. All deadlines pertaining to nominations and elections are subject to review and change by the GOPIO board before the elections of officers each year, provided at least 30 days notice is available for any deadline.
16. The name of the chapter delegate(s) shall be submitted by the chapter president through the country coordinator/regional VP 60 days prior to the election.
17. In the absence of any designated chapter delegate at the time of elections, only the chapter president shall be eligible to vote in place of the designated delegate.
18. The elections shall be conducted according to the Protocol approved by the Executive Committee, before each election. The protocol shall be in accord with these bylaws.
As per GOPIO bylaws, the officers to be elected are: president, executive vice president and regional VPs. However, election of regional VPs is by electronic mail.
5.F.1
CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE: There will be a Credential Committee consisting of 9
members, including a Chairperson, representing different regions of the
membership of the GOPIO for a period of 4 years. They will be nominated by the
Executive Committee and approved by the General council.
5.F.2. The main
task of the Credential Committee will be to verify the credentials of
organizations seeking representation in GOPIO General Council and to make
recommendations to the General Council. It will also be the responsibility of
this Committee to identify groups of Non-Resident Indians and people of Indian
origin who are not represented at the global meetings of the GOPIO and to
initiate measures to secure their representation in due course.
5.G.1 INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL: There will be
an International Advisory Council of persons of Indian origin who have helped
the PIO communities in their countries or regions and who are able to
contribute to the development of GOPIO. The members of the International
Advisory Council will be nominated by the General Council on the recommendation of the Executive
Committee. The Chairman of GOPIO will chair the meetings of the Advisory
Council. The members of the Advisory Council will be invited to GOPIO
Conventions and will be kept informed about the activities of GOPIO. The President
of GOPIO will be an ex-officio member of the Advisory Council.
5.G.2. The
members of the Advisory Council will be expected to advise and help GOPIO in
raising funds. The Advisory Council will be expected to create and maintain a
trust fund to be used in an emergency effecting GOPIO and or any PIO community.
5.H.1 GOPIO INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION:
5.H.2 The GOPIO
Foundation shall act in an advisory capacity to the Executive Committee. The Foundation shall be responsible for the
coordination of raising, managing and disbursing funds collected for charitable
and educational causes in India as well as in other parts of the world.
5.H.3 The
Foundation shall be composed of 8 voting
members, called trustees excluding the GOPIO President, chairman and the treasurer
who will be ex-officio members. Every year, the executive committee will
appoint one half of the Foundation members for a term of two years. The Trustees will be responsible for all the
Foundation activities and will provide a yearly report to the Executive Committee of all its
activities.
5.H.4 Except for ex-officio members, a voting member of executive committee shall not be a voting member of the Foundation and vice versa. If a person is elected or appointed as a voting member of both these bodies, he/she shall have to relinquish one of the positions.
5.H.5 The Foundation shall meet as deemed necessary. The notice of the Foundation meeting and the quorum required shall be the same as that of the Executive committee. The Foundation Trustees can make a decision to distribute up to $5,000 to a charity. However, any amount above $5,000 has to be pre-approved by the Executive committee. The limit of disbursement by the Foundation Trustees can be raised by a decision of Executive Committee.
5.H.6 An annual report of its activities and a financial report of the Foundation shall be submitted by the Executive Trustee to the Executive committee.
5.H.7 The Executive Trustee of the Foundation shall be appointed by the incoming (newly elected) GOPIO Executive committee from the trustees who have served at least two terms either on the Executive Committee or as a trustee of the foundation. The immediate past GOPIO chairman shall be eligible for appointment to the position of Executive Trustee.
5.H.8 The Executive Trustee shall be member of the Executive Committee and will also perform any other duties as assigned by the Executive Committee.
5.I GOPIO
COUNCILS
GOPIO Councils shall be
established by GOPIO General Council at the recommendation of the Executive Committee
to serve the diverse interests of the global Indian community. Refer to
Appendix III: “GOPIO Councils”
5.J TERM
5.J.1 The term
of all appointees shall coincide with the term of the Executive
Committee.
6. IMPEACHMENT:
The office-bearers of the GOPIO can be impeached by the Executive council for
misdemeanor and for gross and willful violation of GOPIO constitution.
Impeachment proceedings can be initiated by at least five members of the
Executive Council. The office-bearer concerned will be provided a written
statement of the charges against him/her and given thirty days to reply to the
charges. The impeachment charges and replies from the person charged will be
circulated to all members of the Executive Council at least 30 days before the
meeting of the Executive Council at which they are to be discussed. Impeachment
decision can be made only with the three/fourth (3/4) majority of the Executive
Council present and voting in a meeting with due prior notice concerning this
agenda item.
7. PATRONS: Persons
who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of GOPIO may be honored as
Patrons. All patrons will be invited to Global Conventions and will be kept
informed about the activities of GOPIO.
8. MEMBERSHIP
FEE: It will be desirable to establish contribution amounts for different
countries, based on some system like the United Nations which takes into
consideration the size of the group, its economic well being, its financial
possibilities, etc. Pending this, it is necessary to have an initial MEMBERSHIP
FEE of US Dollars 500 PER ANNUM, in any currency convertible in US Dollars for
each national organization, US$100 for GOPIO chapters. However, the Executive
Committee will have the power to waive this payment or adjust it in case of a
particular country, keeping in view the circumstances. The Executive Committee
may review and change the annual membership fees from time to time.
9. AMENDMENTS:
Amendments to this Constitution shall be made only with the approval of the
two-third (2/3) majority of the members of the Executive Council present and
voting. The amendments may be initiated by the Executive Committee or by five
voting members of the Executive Council acting together. If the amendments are
initiated by five voting members then the members concerned shall send them in
writing to the Executive Committee at least 60 days in advance of the Council
meeting at which they are to be considered. Whether the amendments originate
with the voting members or the Executive Committee, the Executive committee
shall circulate them to the members of the Council along with their own
recommendations at least 30 days in advance of the Council meeting at which
they are to be considered.
10. SEAL: The
Executive Committee shall provide a seal for the purpose of the Council and
shall determine the manner in which it shall be used.
11. OFFICIAL
YEAR: The official year of the GOPIO shall be the same as the calendar year.
12. HEADQUARTERS
OF GOPIO: The headquarters and the location of the other organs of GOPIO will be
decided by the Executive Committee in consultation with the GOPIO Chairman.
13. QUORUM: Quorum for taking decisions
by the General Council shall be 20 % of its membership plus one and for
Executive Committee shall be 50 % plus one. Membership includes registered
delegates and active life members. Any life member who has participated in any scheduled
GOPIO activity during the preceding three (3) years, at any function or event
organized at the international level, is deemed an active member.
14. OFFICIAL
LANGUAGE: English will be the official language of the GOPIO.
15. DISSOLUTION:
The GOPIO may be dissolved with the approval of the three-fourths majority of
the Executive Council members present and voting at an extra-ordinary meeting
specially called for this purpose. In the case of dissolution, the Executive
Committee shall donate the net assets of the GOPIO to an organization whose
objects are similar to the objectives of the GOPIO.
APPENDIX I
GOPIO CHAPTERS
GOPIO would
facilitate city, regional and national chapter development for a global network
of all NRIs/PIOs. To achieve that
objective, GOPIO would encourage opening of chapters every where, instilling a
culture of service among the NRIs/PIOs worldwide and making GOPIO an
international service organization.
I.A Starting a Chapter
There must not
be a GOPIO Chapter within a 5 mile radius of your local area unless it
is in another state. A "mentor chapter", mutually selected or GOPIO
assigned will guide in the start-up process.
I.B Process of Starting a Chapter
I.B.1. Gather 5 people who will work cohesively on the new chapter before writing a Letter of Intent (LOI).
I.B.2.
Submit the LOI to GOPIO
Secretariat and Regional V.P indicating intent to start a local chapter
I.B.3.
GOPIO President,
International Coordinator or Regional V.P will help with the selection of a
mentor chapter.
I.B.4.
On receipt of LOI by
GOPIO Secretariat and Regional V.P, GOPIO
president shall officially
authorize the "start-up
chapter" to be in "probationary status", which entitles:
Participation in GOPIO activities without voting rights;
Organization of events and activities under GOPIO banner.
I.B.5. Use GOPIO bylaws/constitution on chapter functioning to
elect officers;
I.B.6. Chapter incorporation, under the laws of the country, if needed. Also, obtain tax exempt status, if needed.
I.B.7. Chapter progress is formally reviewed by International Coordinator, GOPIO RVP and Executive Committee approximately 3 months after organization of “start-up chapter” to ensure that the new chapter has met all obligations of local laws and has increased membership to a minimum of fifteen. Thereafter and before the expiration of 6 months from the date of authorization, GOPIO International at the recommendation of National coordinator/Regional vice president and on receipt of annual dues, authorize the “start-up chapter” to be an official chapter with voting rights in GOPIO International.
I.B.8. For sake of uniformity, the chapter will be named with a
city or an area after the word “GOPIO,” e.g. GOPIO New York, GOPIO Mumbai,
GOPIO South-West Los Angeles. In cases of a large metropolitan area, there can exist
multiple chapters within that metropolitan area with chapter names of that city
identified with suffix of specific areas such as North, South, East, West.
There shall be clearly defined areas of operation for each such chapter even
within five (5) mile radius without territorial conflicts.
I.C.1 Chapter Officers
Each GOPIO
Chapter will elect an Executive Committee consisting of President, Vice
President, Secretary, Joint Secretary, Treasurer and other committee members
for a term of two years. No individual can hold the same office for more than
two terms.
GOPIO chapters need to maintain change, continuity and challenge as a hallmark for GOPIO chapter formation.
Change: Change should bring in new volunteers into position of organizational responsibility. Encourage people to move up the ladder in the organization;
Continuity: Experience gained at one position is used at the next level;
Challenge: The new position should present leadership challenge to the holder, particularly when one moves to the position of president. Also, it should be a challenge for the new and less experienced in the organization to learn more and take more challenging volunteering responsibilities.
I.C.2 No two (2) members of the chapter Executive committee shall be blood
relatives.
I.C.3 Chapter
Membership Fee
I.D Remaining a Good Standing Chapter
A chapter is deemed in Good Standing, if it:
a. pays annual dues to GOPIO International, currently US $100. (For more than one delegate, $100 per delegate/per year)
b. Follows GOPIO International bylaws as they relate to chapters.
c. Participates in all GOPIO wide projects, committee(s) and Councils.
d. Communicates all GOPIO issues to GOPIO International and to local membership.
e. Has an elected and structured Executive Committee and holds regular monthly meetings. If the Committee has failed to conduct election of new officers at the expiration of the two year term, National Coordinator/Regional Vice President in consultation with GOPIO International President can appoint an ad-hoc president for up to three months during which new executive committee can be elected.
f. Sends Activity Report to GOPIO Int'l regularly, every 3 months.
I.E Country Coordinator
I.E.1. A country
coordinator will be appointed by GOPIO International Executive Committee in
consultation with the chapter presidents from that country, if there are fewer
than ten chapters in a country.
I.E.2. Where there exist 10 or more chapters in
a country, there shall be a President to coordinate the activities of those chapters.
Example: President of GOPIO New
I.E.3. Where
there exist multiple chapters in a country, an Area Coordinator shall be
designated for every five (5) chapters, reporting to the country President (or
Regional Vice President if there is no country President).
I.F Chapters and Life Members
a. Chapters are encouraged to enroll Life Members for GOPIO International. From the one time Life Membership fee paid to the GOPIO International, 25% will go to the chapter (if in “Good Standing” for consecutive two years) where the member comes from which also entails GOPIO Life member to become a Life Member of the local chapter. If the life membership is not originated by the chapter, GOPIO International can still pay up to 20% to the chapter chosen by the life member.
b.
Life membership fee is decided by the Executive Council
(current rate is U.S.$1,500 (silver), $2500 (gold) and $5000 (platinum) for developed countries and one-half for
developing countries including
I.G Relationship
Between Local Chapter & GOPIO International
·
Local chapter has its own officers and is run and
managed at the local level
Up to 25 members - 1 delegate
26 to 100 members - 2 delegates
101 to 500 members - 3 delegates
500 + members - 4 delegates
GOPIO chapter will pay GOPIO
International an annual fee of $100 per delegate, one-half for developing countries
including
c.
GOPIO chapter will pay GOPIO International an annual
fee of $100 per delegate, one-half for developing countries including
I.H Whom to
Contact
Regional Vice Presidents, International Coordinator and/or President, GOPIO International (see http://gopio.net/team.htm)
APPENDIX II
Any country with five or more chapters/qualified organizations (any registered, not-for-profit, member supported organization which has duly elected governing committee) in “good standing” may form GOPIO national chapter. Chapter delegates as per I.G of Appendix I shall become members of the national chapter and elect the management team as per I.C of Appendix I.
Each GOPIO national chapter will send a minimum of one and a maximum of four representatives to GOPIO General Council as per following formula:
Qualified Voting Members Representatives
Up to 15 1
15 – 25 2
26 – 50 3
51 + 4
These representatives have the right to participate in the deliberations of the General Council.
APPENDIX III GOPIO COUNCILS
GOPIO International has eight Councils, namely, Human Rights, Business, Cultural, Academic, Philanthropic, Media, Health Services, Youth and Women’s to serve the diverse interests of the global Indian community.
A. Each
GOPIO Council shall conform to the following guidelines:
1. Each Council shall consist of a
chairperson and a no. of co-chairpersons with regional representation as deemed
necessary.
2. The chairperson shall be
appointed by the President of GOPIO in consultation with the Executive
Committee.
3. The co-chairpersons shall be
appointed by the President of GOPIO in consultation with the Council
chairperson.
4. The term of all appointees
shall coincide with the term of the Executive Committee.
5.
The
chairperson shall provide plan of activities and periodic reports to the
President of GOPIO and to other appropriate bodies within GOPIO.
B. The following
are the GOPIO Councils:
1. GOPIO
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
a. To actively
monitor all aspects of human rights conditions and treatment of persons of
Indian origin (PIOs) and non-resident Indians (NRIs), and to seek prompt and
full remedy and redress from the respective governments, the United Nations,
the Government of India, human rights agencies operating locally and globally,
and forums of local and international jurisprudence, using “The Universal
Declaration of Human Rights” adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948
and all subsequent amendments and changes as the basis for fair and equitable
treatment for all peoples.
b. To
monitor and address human rights conditions including, but not limited to,
physical, social, economic, cultural, political, religious, and artistic
conditions affecting PIOs and NRIs in various countries.
c. To engage the
participation and to support efforts of any and all local Indian and non-Indian
organizations and groups, where possible, without compromising their safety and
well-being, to compile and report all human rights abuses perpetrated against
PIOs and NRIs.
d.
To recognize those among NRI/PIO human
rights advocates who have made notable achievements and for their community
service.
2. GOPIO
BUSINESS COUNCIL
a. To encourage and promote increasing levels of business investments by and among NRIs/PIOs in various parts of the world.
b. To develop and conduct business and investment seminars, forums, symposia, trade exhibitions and conferences at regional and global levels to facilitate networking among investors and potential investment countries and selected industries.
c. To facilitate more awareness among non-Indians of the
potentials and benefits of investments and trade with
3. GOPIO
CULTURAL COUNCIL
a. To develop, enhance and encourage continued promotion and preservation of the Indian culture and heritage among NRIs/PIOs on community, regional and global levels.
b. To facilitate increased communications, dialogue, exchanges and travel among individuals, groups and institutions involved in teaching, performing and promoting the Indian culture and heritage.
c. To actively promote the richness and value of the Indian culture and heritage by holding events in collaboration with other cultural organizations worldwide.
d. To recognize those among NRIs/PIOs who are
actively involved in cultural activities and have made notable achievements,
and for their community service.
4. GOPIO
ACADEMIC COUNCIL
a. To identify, recognize and link persons involved in
Indian Diaspora studies and writings, and by identifying and linking academic
institutions actively engaged in such studies, as a means of promoting and
furthering Indian Diaspora studies and establishing a global network beneficial
to NRIs/PIOs.
b. To develop, maintain and enhance respective
directory of academic institutions, scholars, writers by category of works, and
those who are the recipients of internationally recognized awards for their
respective work on the Indian Diaspora.
c. To plan, coordinate and hold conferences,
seminars, symposia and forums on issues related to the Indian Diaspora, both
regional and international levels, including global conferences on behalf of
GOPIO International as become necessary.
d. To recognize those among NRIs/PIOs academicians
who have made notable achievements and for their community service.
5. GOPIO PHILANTROPIC COUNCIL
a. To cater to the continuing and emergency needs of
the NRI/PIO community by monitoring activities of the Indian Diaspora, using
available and funded resources to alleviate such needs.
b. To facilitate increased communications, dialogue and exchanges among various groups and institutions involved in philanthropy and to increase awareness of continuing needs of people in the Indian Diaspora.
c. To provide prompt responses to emergency needs and referrals for services and resources to alleviate critical conditions, including fund raising and solicitation for resources to provide needed assistance.
d. To recognize those among NRI/PIO philanthropists who have made notable achievements and for their community service.
6. GOPIO HEALTH SERVICES COUNCIL
a. To cater to the increasing health services needs of the
growing population of non-resident Indian (NRI) and persons of Indian Origin
(PIO) community by monitoring the health trends, statistics and reports among
this group and encouraging community involvement in seeking such services for
improving health conditions in the community.
b. To foster collaborative health seminars and services
for the benefit of the non-resident Indian (NRIs) and persons of Indian Origin
(PIOs) on health related issues and services that are of current interest and
concern.
c. To provide, where possible and expedient, guidance and referrals on health services based on categories, region and other pertinent factors.
e. To recognize those among NRI/PIO health services providers who have made notable achievements and for their community service.
7. GOPIO YOUTH COUNCIL
a. To cater to the growing population and needs of the non-resident
Indian (NRI) and persons of Indian Origin (PIO) youths by providing community
service programs that addresses the pertinent issues and interest of the
NRI/PIO youth.
b. To foster collaborative forums for dialogue and
exchanges among non-resident Indian (NRI) and persons of Indian Origin (PIO)
youths to maintain their interest and participation in the Indian Diaspora, now
and in the future.
c. To encourage inter-group relations among non-resident Indian (NRI) and persons of Indian Origin (PIO) youths on local, regional and global levels for better understanding, cooperation and community service.
d. To recognize those among NRI/PIO youth who have made notable achievements in their respective fields of work and for their community service.
8. GOPIO WOMEN’S COUNCIL
a. To cater to the growing population and needs of the resident
Indian (NRI) and persons of Indian Origin (PIO) women by providing community
service programs that addresses the pertinent issues and interest of the
NRI/PIO woman.
b. To foster collaborative forums for dialogue and
exchanges among resident Indian (NRI) and persons of Indian Origin (PIO) women
to maintain their interest and participation in the Indian Diaspora, now and in
the future.
c. To encourage inter-group relations among
non-resident Indian (NRI) and persons of Indian Origin (PIO) women on local,
regional and global levels for better understanding, cooperation and community
service.
d. To recognize those among NRI/PIO women who have made notable achievements in their respective fields of work and for their community service.
9. GOPIO MEDIA COUNCIL
a. To actively monitor local, regional and global news of
the growing population and needs of the non-resident Indian (NRIs) and
persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and provide items of interest and concern to
GOPIO Executive Committee for deliberations and action where necessary.
a. To provide timely news releases on instructions from GOPIO
Executive Committee on current events that affect non-resident
Indian (NRIs) and persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) c. To collaborate with local,
regional and global GOPIO officers, chapters and committees for news
conferences and other media activities to promote GOPIO and its efforts.
d. To recognize those among NRI/PIO media who have made notable achievements in media and journalism, and for their community service.
Revised by incorporating amendments approved in General Council meeting
on August 20, 2009 in New York, USA