SEACON : The Southeast Asian Council for Food Security and Fair Trade

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There is an active dialogue and communication between the national food council members and SEACON. The thrust of the network was built upon the strong commitment and understanding of the members. This is evident through the decentralized decision making process of SEACON where the members of each national food council (2 representative from each country) participate in the Council meetings of SEACON held twice in a year to decide on programmes, finance, activities and policies.

Powers and Role of the SEACON

The SEACON's highest decision making body is its Council which defines the overall policies, its mission and decides the direction and parameters of the organisation. The network partners provide significant collective leadership at the level of the Council.

The SEACON shall also:

1.	Approve the reports minutes and financial reports before submission to the funders
2.	Form task forces or sub committees and also identify people who can undertake research, networking and fund raising to ensure the continuity of the organisations work. Each SEACON member will be involved in fundraising, networking, and lobbying. The Executive Director shall head and lead any Project Management Committee in consulation with the Executive Committee and be responsible in submitting narrative reports, financial reports, progress reports etc.
3.	To draw up appropriate policies abd procedures for the Secretariat which is an important component of the Council.
4.	To provide leadership for the Secretariat in carrying out the policies and campaigns.
5.	To plan anually for research areas and advocacy projects of the SEACON.
6.	To decide on how the funds are to be disbured.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Chair and 2 Vice - Chairs and these positions shall be elected among the members of the SEACON on a rotation basis.

1.	These positions shall be held for a two(2) year period, after which the Council will review positions.
2.	The Executive Committee shall meet at least once every three months with the Executive Director not withstanding the SEACON Meetings.
3.	If no funds are available from the Council, the Executive Committee shall use their own organisation's funds to meet at a designated place.
4.	The executive committee (Chair and 2 Vice-chairs) has the power to make urgent decisions in the absence of the SEACON meeting but these decisions must be presented at the very next SEACON meeting and is subject to evaluation.

Funds

1.	Funds for the council shall be derived from contributions, donations and sale of publications.
2.	Contributions and donations to the council shall be accepted from any person/organisation upon the approval of the SEA Council after determining that the acceptance therefor shall in no way impair the independence of the council, injure the standing or influence its policies, programmes or activities.
3.	The funds shall be kept by the Secretariat who shall be responsible therefor under the rules of the Executive Committee may take. Funds maybe disbursed only in accordance with the budget approved by the SEA Council. However in case if an unforeseen emergency, the Chair may approve disbursement not provided for in the budget, provided such expenditure is reported at the subsequent meeting of the SEA Council.
4.	The Executive Committee recommends to the SEA Council such rules and regualtions concerning the administration of funds and accounting procedures as they see fit.

Financial Provisions

1.	Subject to the following provisions in these rules, the funds of the council may be extended for any purpose necessary for the carrying out of its objectives, including the expenses of its administration, the payment of salaries, allowances and expenses of its office bearers and staff.
2.	The Secretariat may hold petty cash advance not exceeding USD200 at any one time. All money in excess of this shall be within seven(7) days if receipt be deposited in a bank approves by the Executive Committee.
3.	If it is a non budgeted expenditurer, no expenditure exceeding USD1,000 at any one time shall be incurred without prior sanction of the Executive Committee. Expenditure exceeding USD3,000 at any one time cannot be incurred without the prior sanction of a Council meeting.
4.	At the end of each financial year of the council, which is 31st December, a statement of receipts and payments and a balance sheet for the year shall be prepared by the Secretariat for approval by the members at the Council meeting.
5.	In the event that the Secretariat is moved to another country, the immovable assets acquired in the host member's country of origin will be transferred to the host member's country of origin and documents acquired while in the country of origin will be tranferred to the new host country member.

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