Skip to main content

TASH Standard

Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin Youtube Instagram
Home » TASH Association

TASH Association

The TASH, legally the “TASH Association”, consists of three permanent institutional bodies: the Members’ Meeting, the TASH Board, and the International Secretariat. Together, these bodies uphold and safeguard the TASH Standard.

TASH Articles of Association

Articles Governing the Transatlantic Slaves Homecoming and Door-of-No-Return Standard Association The TASH Articles of Association govern the TASH Association.

Article 1: Name

Articles Governing the Transatlantic Slaves Homecoming and Door-of-No-Return Standard Association The TASH Articles of Association govern the TASH Association.

Article 2: Background and Objective

  • The TASH Association is an international, multi-stakeholder initiative that includes participation from governments and public institutions; traditional authorities and custodians of heritage sites; academic and research institutions; museums and memorial organizations; civil society organizations; descendant communities; philanthropic foundations; and other entities committed to remembrance, reconciliation, historical accountability, and cultural restoration related to the transatlantic slave trade.
  • The TASH Association’s objective is to uphold the TASH Principles and the Door-of-No-Return Standard as the internationally recognized framework for remembrance, dignity, memorialization, preservation, and symbolic repatriation related to the transatlantic slave trade.
  • This objective is pursued in recognition that preserving the memory of enslaved Africans, protecting Door-of-No-Return sites, strengthening historical education, supporting descendant engagement, and facilitating the respectful recovery and symbolic return of soil and memory can contribute to reconciliation, cultural restoration, international understanding, and the restoration of dignity.

Article 3: Legal Person and Limited Liability

  1. The TASH Association shall be established as an international non-profit association under the laws of the jurisdiction selected by the TASH Members’ Meeting.
  2. The Members of the TASH Association shall not be responsible, individually or collectively, for any debts, liabilities, or obligations of the TASH Association.

Article 4: Organization

  1. The permanent institutional bodies of the TASH Association are:
    1. The TASH Members’ Meeting.
    2. The TASH Board led by the TASH Chair.
    3. The TASH International Secretariat led by the Executive Director.
  2. The TASH Board may establish committees in accordance with Article 13.
  3. The TASH Association shall operate transparently and promote diversity in nationality, ethnicity, gender, culture, language, religion, and geography.

Article 5: Membership and Constituencies

  1. A Member of the TASH Association is a representative appointed by a recognized constituency.
  2. Members shall be organized into four constituencies:
    1. Constituency of Countries
      Comprised of:
      1. Implementing Countries that have adopted the TASH Standard.
      2. Supporting Countries that support the objectives of the TASH Association.
    2. Constituency of Heritage and Traditional Authorities
      Comprised of:
      1. Traditional leaders.
      2. Heritage custodians.
      3. Memorial authorities.
      4. Institutions responsible for Door-of-No-Return sites and related historical locations.
    3. Constituency of Civil Society and Descendant Communities
      Comprised of:
      1. Civil society organizations.
      2. Afro-descendant organizations.
      3. Community associations.
      4. Cultural and advocacy networks.
    4. Constituency of Academic, Cultural and Institutional Partners
      Comprised of:
      1. Universities.
      2. Museums.
      3. Research institutions.
      4. Foundations.
      5. International organizations supporting the objectives of TASH.
  3. Each constituency shall determine its own procedures for appointing Members.
  4. Constituencies may replace their appointed Members at any time.
  5. Membership may be terminated through resignation, dissolution of the represented entity, withdrawal from the TASH Association, or serious violations of these Articles or the TASH Code of Conduct.
  6. The TASH Board may suspend or terminate membership if a member or a represented entity engages in conduct that is seriously prejudicial to the objectives, principles, or integrity of the TASH Association.

Article 6: TASH Global Conference

  1. A TASH Global Conference shall be held at least every three years.
  2. The Conference shall provide a forum for governments, descendant communities, traditional authorities, heritage institutions, academics, museums, civil society organizations, and international partners to advance the TASH Association’s objectives.
  3. The Conference shall:
    1. Review implementation progress.
    2. Promote global awareness of the transatlantic slave trade.
    3. Support preservation of Door-of-No-Return sites.
    4. Encourage participation in the Transatlantic Slaves Homecoming initiative.
    5. Mobilize international cooperation and support.

Article 7: TASH Members’ Meeting

  1. The governing body of the TASH Association shall be the Members’ Meeting.
  2. The Members’ Meeting shall consist of all Members of the TASH Association.
  3. The ordinary Members’ Meeting shall be held at least once every three years, in conjunction with the TASH Global Conference.
  4. The TASH Board may call an extraordinary Members’ Meeting.
  5. The Members’ Meeting shall seek consensus in decision-making whenever possible.
  6. Where voting is required, resolutions shall be adopted by a qualified majority, as determined by supplementary governance procedures approved by the Members’ Meeting.

Article 8: Functions of the Members’ Meeting

The Members’ Meeting shall:

  1. Approve activity reports and strategic plans.
  2. Approve annual accounts and audit reports.
  3. Elect the TASH Chair.
  4. Elect Members of the TASH Board.
  5. Approve amendments to the TASH Principles and Standards.
  6. Consider any other matters submitted by Members.

Article 9: TASH Board

  1. The executive body of the TASH Association shall be the TASH Board.
  2. The Board shall reflect the multi-stakeholder nature of the Association and include representatives from all constituencies.
  3. The Board shall include:
    1. A Chair.
    2. Representatives of implementing and supporting countries.
    3. Representatives of heritage and traditional authorities.
    4. Representatives of descendant communities and civil society.
    5. Representatives of academic, cultural, and institutional partners.
  4. Board members may be accompanied by alternates.

Article 10: Observers

  1. Representatives of international organizations, development agencies, museums, universities, regional organizations, and other relevant institutions may attend meetings as observers.
  2. Observers shall not possess voting rights.

Article 11: TASH Chair

  1. The TASH Chair shall be elected by the Members’ Meeting.
  2. The Chair shall:
    1. Chair Members’ Meetings.
    2. Chair Board meetings.
    3. Represent the Association externally.
    4. Promote collaboration among stakeholders.
    5. Support implementation of Board decisions.

Article 12: Functions of the TASH Board

The TASH Board shall:

  1. Safeguard the objectives of the Association.
  2. Adopt and oversee implementation of the TASH Standard.
  3. Approve strategic plans and budgets.
  4. Oversee preservation initiatives relating to Door-of-No-Return sites.
  5. Support implementation of the Transatlantic Slaves Homecoming initiative.
  6. Establish procedures for admission, monitoring, suspension, and recognition of implementing countries.
  7. Promote international partnerships and cooperation.
  8. Adopt policies, guidelines, and codes of conduct.
  9. Appoint and supervise the Executive Director.

Article 13: Committees

  1. The Board may establish committees to support its work.
  2. Committees may include:
    1. Heritage and Preservation Committee.
    2. Memorialization and Repatriation Committee.
    3. Governance and Ethics Committee.
    4. Research and Documentation Committee.
    5. Diaspora and Citizenship Pathways Committee.
    6. Finance and Resource Mobilization Committee.

Article 14: Board Operations

  1. The Board shall meet at least twice annually.
  2. Meetings may be conducted in person or virtually.
  3. The Board shall strive for consensus.
  4. Quorum and voting procedures shall be determined through Board rules approved by the Members’ Meeting.

Article 15: TASH International Secretariat

  1. The Secretariat shall support the daily operations of the Association.
  2. The Secretariat shall:
    1. Support implementing countries.
    2. Maintain records and membership registers.
    3. Coordinate meetings and conferences.
    4. Monitor implementation of the TASH Standard.
    5. Publish reports and decisions.

Article 16: Executive Director

  1. The Secretariat shall be led by a full-time Executive Director.
  2. The Executive Director shall:
    1. Manage day-to-day operations.
    2. Implement Board decisions.
    3. Coordinate stakeholder engagement.
    4. Supervise Secretariat staff.
    5. Report to the Board through the Chair.

Article 17: Funding

  1. The TASH Association is a non-profit association.
  2. Funding may be received from:
    1. Implementing countries.
    2. Supporting countries.
    3. Foundations and philanthropic organizations.
    4. International institutions.
    5. Museums and cultural organizations.
    6. Academic institutions.
    7. Private donors.
    8. Other lawful sources approved by the Board.
  3. Contributions may be financial or in-kind.

Article 18: Accounts, Fund Management and Auditing

  1. The Association shall maintain transparent financial accounts.
  2. The Board shall appoint an independent external auditor.
  3. Annual financial reports shall be published.
  4. The Board shall approve supplementary operating rules that govern financial management procedures.

Article 19: Amendments

  1. These Articles may be amended by the Members’ Meeting.
  2. Proposed amendments shall be circulated to Members at least four weeks before consideration.

Article 20: Withdrawal and Dissolution

  1. Any Member may withdraw from the Association through written notice.
  2. The Association may be dissolved by resolution of the Members’ Meeting.
  3. Upon dissolution, any remaining assets shall be transferred to organizations pursuing similar objectives of remembrance, historical preservation, reconciliation, cultural restoration, or heritage protection.

Article 21: Entry into Force

  1. These Articles of Association shall enter into force upon the formal establishment of the TASH Association.
  2. The Articles shall remain in force until amended or until dissolution of the TASH Association.