Navothan Foundation
Code of Governance, Membership Rules & Regulations
Revised July 2026
1. Membership Governance & Engagement Protocols
To scale social impact, Navothan Foundation offers a structured pathways program for civic participation.
A. Membership Categories & Criteria
General Members
Open to any individual aged 21 or above who subscribes to the foundation's vision. Requires two existing member references and administrative approval by the managing committee. Valid for 5 years.
Volunteers & Youth Ambassadors
Open to students and young professionals (under 21 allowed with parent/guardian consent) for grassroots campaigns, educational drives, and event execution.
Institutional & Corporate Partners
Non-voting strategic affiliations for companies, academic bodies, and global organizations aligning CSR or research activities.
B. Member Rights & Responsibilities
Active Participation
To remain an active member, individuals must attend at least 3 general meetings within an active engagement cycle.
Voting Rights
Every active member in good standing has the right to attend the Annual General Body Meeting (AGM), review audited financial statements, and vote on working committee formations.
Conduct & Cessation
Membership automatically terminates upon written resignation, failure to fulfill renewal requirements, or expulsion by a majority vote of the General Body for acts detrimental to the Trust.
2. Working Committees & Special Task Forces
To execute specific projects effectively without administrative delays, the Trust operates through dedicated Working Committees.
Board of Trustees
Governance & Policy Directives
General Body / Members
Annual Review & Nominations
Healthcare & Senior Care
Committee
Education, Skill & Youth Mentors
Committee
Eco-Agriculture & Heritage Arts
Committee
Governance Rules for Working Committees
Structure
Each Working Committee shall consist of a maximum of 5 members, with a mandatory inclusion of at least one First Trustee to ensure seamless governance alignment.
Tenure
Committee members are nominated/elected annually during the General Body Meeting.
Execution Scope
Committees submit project plans and estimates to the Managing Committee for budgetary approval before field execution.
3. Operations & Project Execution Rules
A. Core Focus Areas & Field Rules
Dignified Senior Living & Assisted Care
All retirement and elder care projects managed or leased by the foundation must adhere to strict medical, safety, and psychological care standards, ensuring zero commercial bias or neglect.
Education & Industry Mentorship
Programs running across schools, PU colleges, and competitive exam centers (UPSC/Banking) must maintain complete neutrality—free from caste, religious, or political bias. Career fairs and expert sessions must focus purely on merit and skill acquisition.
Sustainable Farming & Circular Economy
Organic farms, nurseries, and waste management projects must serve as localized demonstration units to train nearby communities in sustainable livelihoods.
B. Volunteer & Expert Engagement Guidelines
Duty of Care
Volunteers working in rehab centers, specialized medical camps, or homes for the disabled must undergo basic ethics and sensitivity training provided by the secretariat.
Honorary Standing
All community engagement, committee roles, and volunteer participation are honorary. No salary, profit-share, or direct monetary dividend shall be disbursed to members or trustees. Actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred during authorized trust travel or field work are reimbursable.
4. Financial Compliance & Transparency Protocols
To uphold strict public trust standards, Section 2(15) compliance, and IT Act exemption requirements:
Earmarked Donations
If a donor or partner organization specifies a particular project (e.g., student scholarships or hospital medical equipment), funds must be spent exclusively on that objective following Managing Committee clearance.
Banking Operations
All collections, grant receipts, and institutional expenses must pass through designated Trust bank accounts operated by authorized signatories. Cash handling is limited strictly to small, audited petty expenses maintained via vouchers.
Annual Audit & Transparency
Financial accounts close on March 31st each year and are audited by a qualified independent Chartered Accountant. The audited balance sheet and next year's budget are presented transparently to the General Body.
5. Code of Conduct & Integrity
Zero Conflict of Interest
No trustee, member, donor, or relative of the Settlor may derive personal financial gain, favorable business contracts, or unearned benefits from the assets or projects of the foundation.
Public Representation
No volunteer or committee member is authorized to issue official press statements, collect unbudgeted cash funds, or enter legally binding agreements on behalf of Navothan Foundation without written authorization from the Managing Trustee or Secretary.
Respect & Non-Discrimination
Every member, beneficiary, and partner must be treated with dignity, regardless of caste, creed, gender, religion, or nationality.