Leadership & Governance
Governed transparently. Accountable to our members.
GODO is governed through three connected bodies defined in our founding Constitution: the Office Bearers, who manage daily leadership; the Board of Directors, who set direction and policy; and the General Meeting, the supreme organ composed of all members, which holds final decision-making authority.
Our Governance Bodies
Office Bearers
The Chairperson, Executive Secretary, and Treasurer manage daily leadership of GODO. Office bearers are elected by the General Meeting and hold office for four years, with eligibility for re-election for one additional term.
Chairperson: Presides over the General Meeting; serves as spokesperson for the Organization; oversees daily activities; signatory to the bank account.
Executive Secretary: Calls meetings in consultation with the Chairperson; arranges office schedules; receives applications and correspondence; keeps all organizational documents and asset records; signatory to the bank account.
Treasurer: Receives and safeguards funds; prepares the annual budget and financial statements; maintains records of accounts and assets; submits audited reports to the General Meeting; signatory to the bank account.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is composed of the Chairperson, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, and four additional members appointed by the General Meeting. Board members serve four-year terms and may be re-appointed for one further term. The Board elects its own Chairperson from among its members, while the Organization's Chairperson serves as Secretary to the Board. The Board meets at least twice a year, with a quorum of two-thirds of its members.
Board Responsibilities:
- Making Rules and Regulations for the Organization
- Protecting and advancing the Organization's image
- Recruiting staff
- Participating in developing strategic plans
- Appointing auditors
- Approving and overseeing feasibility studies for new projects
- Forming committees where necessary
General Meeting
The General Meeting is the supreme organ of GODO, composed of all members, with decisions made by majority vote of those present. It elects office bearers and the Board of Directors, approves budgets and plans, amends the Constitution, and reviews and approves matters raised by the Board.
An Annual General Meeting is held once a year, with 21 days' notice to members and a quorum of two-thirds of members. An Extra-Ordinary General Meeting may be called in an emergency, with 7 days' notice and a quorum of one-half of members.
Daily Leadership
Chairperson
Chairperson
Responsibilities:
- Presides over the General Meeting
- Serves as spokesperson for the Organization
- Oversees daily activities
- Signatory to the bank account
Office bearers are elected by the General Meeting and hold office for four years, with eligibility for re-election for one additional term.
Executive Secretary
Executive Secretary
Responsibilities:
- Calls meetings in consultation with the Chairperson
- Arranges office schedules
- Receives applications and correspondence
- Keeps all organizational documents and asset records
- Signatory to the bank account
Membership applications (including a letter of application) are submitted to the Executive Secretary for presentation to the General Meeting for approval.
Treasurer
Treasurer
Responsibilities:
- Receives and safeguards funds
- Prepares the annual budget and financial statements
- Maintains records of accounts and assets
- Submits audited reports to the General Meeting
- Signatory to the bank account
GODO's financial year runs from 1 January to 31 December. All bank transactions require the signatures of two of the three office bearers.