MELOS FOUNDATION

Preamble

Part One — General Provisions

Article 1Name

1. The name of the organisation is Melos Foundation (hereinafter "the Foundation"). Its Amharic name is [Amharic name].
2. The Foundation's motto is "Different. Beautiful. Strong." and its guiding statement is "Every Child Seen. Every Child Valued. Every Child Empowered."

Article 2Legal Status and Governing Law

1. The Foundation is established as a non-governmental, non-profit, non-partisan and non-religious [form of organisation under the Proclamation — to be confirmed with counsel] under the Organizations of Civil Societies Proclamation No. 1113/2019 of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, as amended from time to time (hereinafter "the Proclamation").
2. Upon registration with the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (hereinafter "the Authority"), the Foundation shall have legal personality, and may enter into contracts, own property, sue and be sued in its own name.
3. This Constitution shall be read consistently with the Proclamation and the directives issued under it. Where any provision of this Constitution conflicts with the Proclamation, the Proclamation shall prevail.
4. The Foundation shall not distribute any profit, income or asset to its Members, Founders, Board members or staff, except reasonable remuneration for services actually rendered and reimbursement of reasonable expenses.

Article 3Head Office and Area of Operation

1. The head office of the Foundation shall be in [city], Ethiopia, at [address].
2. The Foundation may operate throughout Ethiopia and may open branch offices within Ethiopia by decision of the Board, subject to the Proclamation.
3. In pursuit of its global campaign, the Foundation may cooperate with partners outside Ethiopia in accordance with applicable law.

Article 4Definitions

In this Constitution, unless the context requires otherwise:

"Child"

means any person under the age of eighteen (18) years.

"Visible difference"

means any condition, mark or feature that affects a person's appearance, including vitiligo, other skin conditions, birthmarks, scars and differences present from birth or acquired later.

"Guardian"

means a parent or any person with lawful parental responsibility for a child.

"Founders"

means the persons who signed this Constitution at the Founding General Assembly.

"Member"

means a person admitted to membership under Article 16.

"Board"

means the Board of Directors established under Article 19.

"Pillar"

means one of the five programme areas set out in Article 9.

Part Two — Purpose

Article 5Vision

The vision of the Foundation is a world where visible difference never limits a child's future: a world where every child, regardless of appearance or visible difference, can grow with dignity, confidence, belonging, protection and equal opportunity, and can confidently say: "I am valued. I belong. I can learn. I can dream. I can lead."

Article 6Mission

1. The mission of the Foundation is to empower children living with vitiligo and other visible differences to grow with confidence and dignity by strengthening families, advancing inclusive education, promoting responsible awareness, challenging stigma and bullying, protecting children's dignity, and creating opportunities for every child to discover and fulfil their potential.
2. In pursuit of its mission, the Foundation shall bring together children, families, schools, professionals, communities, institutions, responsible media and partners around one shared belief: difference should never determine opportunity.

Article 7Objectives

The objectives of the Foundation are to:

1. strengthen the self-esteem, resilience, positive identity, creativity, communication and leadership of children living with visible differences;
2. support parents and caregivers with responsible information, supportive networks, practical resources and professional perspectives;
3. promote inclusive, safe and child-friendly learning environments, and challenge appearance-based bullying in schools;
4. promote responsible public understanding of vitiligo and other visible differences, and counter misinformation, fear and stigma;
5. encourage families to seek appropriate information and professional guidance from qualified sources;
6. celebrate the whole child through responsible storytelling, art, media and children's creative expression;
7. protect the safety, privacy, dignity and best interests of every child who takes part in the Foundation's work;
8. build partnerships that expand opportunity and inclusion for children with visible differences; and
9. carry out any other lawful activity that furthers the Foundation's mission.

Article 8Core Values

The Foundation, its organs, Members, staff and volunteers shall be guided by the following values:

1. Dignity — every child has inherent and equal worth.
2. Confidence — every child deserves encouragement to believe in themselves beyond appearance.
3. Inclusion — difference should be welcomed, understood and respected.
4. Compassion — we seek understanding rather than judgment.
5. Child Protection — children's safety, privacy, dignity and best interests come first.
6. Integrity — we act responsibly, ethically and transparently.
7. Hope — every child deserves the freedom to imagine a brighter future.
8. Participation — children's voices and perspectives matter.
9. Equality — every child deserves access to opportunity.

Part Three — Programmes

Article 9The Five Pillars

The Foundation shall carry out its objectives through five programme pillars:

1. Melos Confidence — "I Am Enough." Recognising that confidence shapes how a child learns, communicates, builds relationships, responds to challenges and imagines their future, this pillar shall create age-appropriate opportunities to strengthen children's self-esteem, resilience, positive identity, creativity, communication and leadership. Its purpose is to help children see possibility when they look at themselves.
2. Melos Families — "You Are Not Alone." Recognising that a confident child needs an informed, loving and supportive environment, this pillar shall connect parents and caregivers with responsible information, supportive networks, practical resources, professional perspectives and opportunities to learn from other families, on the principle that stronger families help raise stronger, more confident children.
3. Melos at School — "Different, Not Less." Recognising that every child deserves to enter the classroom feeling safe, respected, included and ready to learn, this pillar shall promote inclusive and child-friendly learning environments through awareness activities, anti-bullying initiatives, teacher and parent engagement, educational resources and positive conversations about visible differences, so that schools become places where children do not simply fit in, but belong.
4. Melos Health & Awareness — "Understand Before You Judge." Recognising that misinformation can create fear, stigma, discrimination and unnecessary isolation, this pillar shall promote responsible public understanding of vitiligo and other visible differences, and encourage families to seek appropriate information and professional guidance from qualified sources, moving communities from assumptions to knowledge, from staring to understanding, and from stigma to acceptance. The Foundation shall not itself provide medical diagnosis or treatment, and shall not promote unproven cures.
5. Melos Global Voices — "Let Every Child Shine." Recognising that children should never be known only by their differences, but by their ideas, personalities, creativity, talents, achievements, dreams and potential, this pillar shall use responsible storytelling, art, photography, short films, campaigns, children's creative expression and partnerships to celebrate the whole child — seeing beyond the difference to discover the child.

The Board may establish, merge or discontinue programmes within these pillars, provided that every programme serves the objectives in Article 7 and complies with Article 10.

Article 10Child Safeguarding

1. Children's stories can inspire change, but protecting children shall always come before publicity. Their story. Their dignity. Their future.
2. The Foundation shall apply responsible child-safeguarding standards across all its programmes, communications, photography, video, events, partnerships and digital platforms.
3. Every child's participation shall be safe, respectful, age-appropriate and centred on the child's best interests.
4. In particular, the Foundation shall:
   1. obtain appropriate, informed and written consent from a child's guardian, and the child's own agreement in a manner suited to their age, before any participation, photograph, recording or story is used;
   2. protect children's privacy and personal information, and never publish a child's full name, school, home location or medical details without specific consent;
   3. use photographs and video responsibly, and honour any request to withdraw a child's image or story as far as reasonably possible;
   4. tell children's stories safely, and guard against exploitation, humiliation, discrimination and harmful exposure; and
   5. never use a child's image or story for fundraising or promotion in a way that portrays the child as pitiable or defined by their appearance.
5. The Board shall adopt a written Child Safeguarding Policy within [three (3) months] of registration, appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead, and review the policy at least once a year.
6. All Board members, staff, volunteers and partners who work with children shall agree in writing to follow the Child Safeguarding Policy, and shall be subject to appropriate background checks where lawful.
7. Any concern about a child's safety shall be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead without delay, and, where required, to the competent authorities.
8. A child's story should empower them — not expose them.

Article 11Global Campaign — "I Am More Than My Skin"

1. I Am More Than My Skin is the Foundation's flagship awareness and empowerment campaign.
2. The campaign rests on the conviction that a visible difference may be something people notice, but should never become everything they see; that every child is intelligent, creative, courageous, talented, curious, a dreamer, a friend and a future leader.
3. The campaign shall seek to bring together children, families, schools, communities, organisations, creators, professionals, public figures and partners to transform how society understands visible difference, under the call: See the Child. Celebrate the Person. Change the Conversation.
4. All campaign materials shall comply with Article 10.

Article 12Melos Day

1. The Foundation shall hold an annual signature celebration known as Melos Day, dedicated to children, confidence, creativity, inclusion and belonging. The Board shall fix its date each year.
2. Rather than focusing on what makes children different, Melos Day shall celebrate what makes every child extraordinary, and may include children's art, music and cultural performances, storytelling, games and talent showcases, family and school engagement, professional awareness sessions, confidence-building activities, and recognition of inspiring young role models.
3. Melos Day shall be a day when difference is not hidden, but understood, respected and celebrated.

Article 13Families and Schools

1. Families. Recognising that the words children hear today can become the voice they carry with them tomorrow, the Foundation shall create spaces where parents and caregivers can access encouragement, responsible information, practical resources, professional perspectives and supportive communities, helping them show their child possibility before the world teaches them limitation.
2. Schools. Recognising that education is not only about what children learn, but whether they feel safe, respected and confident enough to learn, the Foundation shall collaborate with schools, educators, students and families to encourage environments where appearance-based bullying is challenged, differences are understood, children's dignity is protected, and every learner can participate confidently.

Article 14Partnerships

1. The Foundation may enter into responsible collaboration with schools and universities, child-focused organisations, civil society organisations, health and psychosocial professionals, businesses and foundations, international organisations, researchers, media and creative institutions, and community organisations.
2. Partnerships may support child-confidence initiatives, family programmes, inclusive schools, awareness campaigns, research and learning, Melos Day, responsible storytelling, and the expansion of the I Am More Than My Skin campaign.
3. Every partnership shall be recorded in writing, approved in accordance with the authority limits set by the Board, and bind the partner to Article 10 wherever children are involved.
4. The Foundation shall not accept any partnership or funding that would compromise its independence, its values or the dignity of the children it serves, including the promotion of skin-lightening products or unproven treatments.

Article 15Impact and Accountability

1. The Foundation's ambition goes beyond raising awareness. It seeks meaningful and measurable change: more confident children; better-supported families; safer and more inclusive schools; better-informed communities; reduced stigma and appearance-based bullying; and more opportunities for children to express themselves, participate and lead.
2. In measuring and reporting its work, the Foundation shall distinguish clearly between people reached, activities delivered, partnerships established and demonstrated outcomes, and shall not overstate its results.
3. The Foundation holds that impact is not simply how many people hear its message; impact is what changes in a child's life.

Part Four — Membership and Governance

Article 16Membership

1. The Founders are the first Members of the Foundation.
2. Any adult who accepts this Constitution and supports the Foundation's mission may apply for membership. Applications shall be decided by the Board.
3. Members have the right to attend and vote at the General Assembly, to be elected to office, and to receive the Foundation's annual report.
4. Members shall uphold this Constitution, the Child Safeguarding Policy and the decisions of the Foundation's organs, and pay any membership contribution fixed by the General Assembly.
5. Membership ends by written resignation, death, or expulsion by the General Assembly on the Board's recommendation for serious breach of this Constitution, after the Member has been given a fair opportunity to be heard.

Article 17Organs of the Foundation

The Foundation shall have the following organs: (a) the General Assembly; (b) the Board of Directors; (c) the Executive Director; (d) the Auditor; and (e) the Children's Voice Panel, which is advisory.

Article 18General Assembly

1. The General Assembly, composed of all Members, is the supreme organ of the Foundation.
2. Its powers include to:
   1. elect and remove Board members and the Auditor;
   2. approve the annual plan, budget, annual report and audited accounts;
   3. amend this Constitution under Article 26;
   4. decide on the merger, conversion or dissolution of the Foundation under Article 27; and
   5. decide any matter referred to it by the Board.
3. The General Assembly shall hold an ordinary meeting at least once a year. The Board may call an extraordinary meeting at any time, and shall do so on the written request of at least [one-third] of Members.
4. Notice of at least [fourteen (14)] days, stating the agenda, shall be given to all Members.
5. The quorum is more than half of all Members. If no quorum is present, the meeting shall be reconvened within [fifteen (15)] days and may then proceed with the Members present.
6. Decisions are made by simple majority of Members present, except where this Constitution requires otherwise. The chairperson has a casting vote in the event of a tie.

Article 19Board of Directors

1. The Board shall consist of [five (5) to seven (7)] members elected by the General Assembly for a term of [three (3)] years, renewable once consecutively.
2. The Board shall elect from among its members a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer.
3. The Board should, as far as possible, include people with expertise in child protection, education, health or psychosocial support, and finance, and at least one person with lived experience of a visible difference or a parent of such a child.
4. The Board shall: direct the Foundation's strategy; hire, supervise and dismiss the Executive Director; adopt policies including the Child Safeguarding Policy; approve partnerships and expenditure above the limits it sets; and oversee finances and risk.
5. The Board shall meet at least [once every three months]. Its quorum is more than half of its members, and it decides by simple majority.
6. Board members serve without remuneration, but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred on the Foundation's business.

Article 20Executive Director

1. The Executive Director is appointed by, and accountable to, the Board, and is the chief executive officer of the Foundation.
2. The Executive Director shall manage day-to-day operations; implement programmes, plans and budgets; employ and manage staff and volunteers under Board-approved policies; represent the Foundation in dealings with third parties within delegated authority; and report to the Board at each meeting.
3. The Executive Director may attend Board meetings but has no vote.

Article 21Children's Voice Panel

1. Consistent with the value of Participation, the Board shall establish a Children's Voice Panel so that children's perspectives inform the Foundation's work.
2. The Panel is advisory. Its members take part only with guardian consent, in age-appropriate and safeguarded settings, and under Article 10.
3. The Board shall consider the Panel's views on programmes, campaigns and Melos Day, and report back to the Panel on how its views were used.

Article 22Conflict of Interest

1. Any Board member, officer or staff member who has a direct or indirect personal interest in a matter before the Foundation shall declare it and shall not take part in the decision.
2. The Board shall keep a register of declared interests.

Part Five — Finance

Article 23Sources of Funds

The Foundation's funds may come from: (a) membership contributions; (b) donations, grants and bequests; (c) fundraising events, including Melos Day; (d) income-generating activities permitted by the Proclamation, the proceeds of which shall be used only for the Foundation's objectives; and (e) any other lawful source consistent with Article 14(4).

Article 24Financial Management

1. The Foundation's income and property shall be used solely to advance its objectives.
2. All funds shall be deposited in bank accounts in the Foundation's name. Every payment shall require the signatures of at least two persons authorised by the Board.
3. The Foundation shall keep proper books of account in accordance with the Proclamation and applicable accounting standards.
4. The financial year of the Foundation is the Ethiopian fiscal year, [1 Hamle – 30 Sene; confirm].
5. The Foundation shall comply with any limit set by the Proclamation on the share of its expenditure that may be spent on administrative costs.

Article 25Audit and Reporting

1. The Foundation's accounts shall be audited annually by an external auditor appointed by the General Assembly.
2. The Foundation shall submit its annual activity and audited financial reports to the Authority as required by the Proclamation, and shall publish a summary of its annual report to the public.

Part Six — Final Provisions

Article 26Amendment

1. This Constitution may be amended by a General Assembly by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Members present, provided the proposed amendment was circulated with the notice of meeting.
2. Articles 8 (Core Values) and 10 (Child Safeguarding) may be strengthened but shall not be weakened.
3. Any amendment shall take effect once approved or registered by the Authority as required by the Proclamation.

Article 27Dissolution

1. The Foundation may be dissolved by a General Assembly by a vote of at least two-thirds of all Members, or as otherwise provided by the Proclamation.
2. On dissolution, after all debts and liabilities have been settled, any remaining assets shall not be distributed to Members, but shall be transferred to a civil society organisation in Ethiopia with objectives similar to those of the Foundation, as decided by the General Assembly and in accordance with the Proclamation.

Article 28Effective Date

This Constitution shall enter into force on the date it is registered by the Authority.

Our Promise

Adoption by the Founders

Adopted at the Founding General Assembly held at [place] on [date].